Determination of wear parameters and mechanisms of diamond/copper tools in marble stones cutting

Abstract

In this paper, a type of soft metal binder of diamond tools (diamond segments) that was consisted of 78% Brass (Cu-10Zn) +16% Bronze (Cu–10Sn) + %6Co was investigated. The first, it was approved that the binder is a soft metal binder by a hardness test for diamond tools in natural stones cutting. Then, the effective factors on grinding efficiency such as specific energy (SE), Cutting force (FC), metal binder removal rate (MRR), grinding ratio (G-ratio), wear resistance and Mean free path (MFP) were evaluated by different formula and equations. On the other hand, the effect of different wear mechanisms on the metal binder and diamond grits of the tool was evaluated by the cutting of a type of very hard marble stone that calls Cappochino Beige Marble (CBM). The existence of wears of abrasive, surface fatigue, impact and erosive were confirmed by scanning electron microscopic observations. According to hardness 73 HRB (hardness of the binder) and the wears, there is a short tools life for the diamond tool due to low wear resistance of the metal binder but, the cutting rate was high. Novelty statementThe rising price of decorative stones will increase the final price of the stones and will overshadow the global market of decorative stones. The presence of cobalt, iron, chromium and nickel powders increases the price of diamond tools because of their high price. On the other hand, due to the higher temperature and time of hot press to produce these tools by the mentioned powders, it will also increase the price. Therefore, in this paper, brass and bronze alloy powders, which are much cheaper than cobalt, iron, chromium and nickel powders, have been used as main metal binder powders to reduce raw material prices and manufacturing process costs. On the other side, due to the creation of a softer metal binder compared with the more expensive and harder binder of cobalt, iron, chromium and nickel powders, it can be affected to increase the cutting speed because of increasing wear of the binder. Therefore, mathematical calculations are essential for the efficiency of the tools' cutting.