Residual Stress Development in Laser Machined PVD-Coated Carbide Cutting Tools

Abstract

Abstract. There is growing interest in laser machining as an alternative to abrasive processes for creating cutting tool micro geometries. This technology is also suitable for creating micro geometries on cutting edges of superhard cutting tools. The pulsed nanosecond lasers, which are commonly used for this type of application, induce a high thermal load in the tool. This heat is believed to result in tensile residual stresses at the cutting edge surface, which are generally unfavorable for cutting tool performance because of the tendency to crack formation and propagation. Different levels of compressive residual stress exist after each step (sintering, grinding, shot peening, etching and PVD-coating). From investigations of commercial processes for manufacturing PVD-coated carbide cutting tools it is known that the final residual stress state of the carbide subsurface is a result of superposition of the stress states resulting from the individual process steps. In contrast to that, a laser machining process is expected to produce tensile residual stress due to the heat input. The present work describes the influence of a process chain alteration for PVD-coated carbide cutting tools by a laser machining process on the residual stress state in the finished tools.