Investigation of tool wear in pull boring of pure niobium tubes

Abstract

To improve the surface quality of pure niobium tubes, pull boring can be utilized. However, this type of machining process can result in serious tool wear, tough chips, and poor surface quality. In this study, the cutting tool structure and boring process parameters used to machine pure niobium tubes via the pull boring process were investigated and tool wear was analyzed. The results suggest that unsuitable geometric cutting tool parameters as well as unfavorable boring process parameters can lead to severe wear of the cutter teeth. By adjusting the cutter teeth angle and process parameters, wear of the cutter teeth was significantly reduced and surface roughness of pure niobium tubes was found to be 3.2 μm, which satisfies the surface finish requirements.