cBN sintered material, including cBN particles; a binder phase; and a first phase, wherein the content of the cBN particles in the cBN sintered material is 25% to 80% by volume, the binder phase contains either or both of one or more first compounds, and a solid solution derived from the first compound, the first phase contains cobalt, tungsten, and at least one first element selected from the group consisting of the elements contained in the binder phase, the total content of cobalt and tungsten in the cBN sintered material is 1.0% to 6.0% by mass, the binder phase consists of multiple binder phase particles containing 50% or more of first binder phase particles on a number basis, surfaces of the first binder phase particles include 50% by area or more of a first region which is in contact with the first phase.

A method of making an aluminum-cubic boron nitride (Al-cBN) composite includes mixing an aluminum powder and particles of cubic boron nitride (cBN) in a solvent and sonicating to form an Al-cBN mixture; drying the Al-cBN mixture to form a dried mixture powder; and sintering by pressing and heating the dried mixture powder to form the Al-cBN composite. The aluminum powder has an average particle size of 10 to 100 micrometers (m). The cBN particles have an average particle size of from 10 to 100 m, and are uniformly dispersed throughout the Al-cBN composite.

cBN sintered material, including cBN particles; a binder phase; and a first phase, wherein the content of the cBN particles in the cBN sintered material is 25% to 80% by volume, the binder phase contains either or both of one or more first compounds, and a solid solution derived from the first compound, the first phase contains cobalt, tungsten, and at least one first element selected from the group consisting of the elements contained in the binder phase, the total content of cobalt and tungsten in the cBN sintered material is 1.0% to 6.0% by mass, the binder phase consists of multiple binder phase particles containing 50% or more of first binder phase particles on a number basis, surfaces of the first binder phase particles include 50% by area or more of a first region which is in contact with the first phase.

A cutting tool, comprising a substrate having a cutting surface and a coating adhered to the cutting surface in a solid state, wherein the coating includes a soft metal and is capable of melting and functioning as an in-situ liquid lubricant when the cutting tool is applied in a machining operation. Also, a method of applying a coating to a cutting tool, comprising receiving a premachining workpiece, the premachining workpiece formed of a coating material including a soft metal; and machining the premachining workpiece with the cutting tool such that a layer of the coating material adheres to a cutting surface of the cutting tool in a solid state.