Pulsed magnetic field treatment of TiAlSiN-coated milling tools for improved cutting performances

Abstract

In this study, a pulsed magnetic treatment was attempted to improve the cutting performance of the TiAlSiN-coated WC-12wt%Co cemented carbide end mills, and the effects of the strength of the pulsed magnetic field on the cutting forces, the cutting vibrations, the tool wear, the machined surface roughness, and mechanical properties were investigated. It is found that the cutting performances of the coated tools are successfully improved with a relatively lower cutting force and less wear area. The average resultant cutting force \({Fxy}_{ave}\) decrease by 14.53% in the last machining process when the optimum processing parameters of 0.5 T magnetic field are used, accompanying a maximum decrease of 46.8% in the cutting vibration. The maximum reductions of 57.65% and 25.4% in the flank wear and the average surface roughness of the workpiece are obtained respectively after the treatment. Both the hardness and toughness of the cemented carbides are slightly improved with the imposition of the field. The improvements in the cutting performance of the tool are attributed to the enhanced adhesion strength between the coating and matrix, which is caused by the increased compressive residual stress induced by the PMT.