Simulation and experimental study of tool wear and damage in milling SA 508III steel

Abstract

SA 508III steel is a typical difficult-to-machine material with high strength and high-temperature mechanical properties. In the milling process, the carbide tool is seriously damaged and their service life is short under the thermal-mechanical load of low cycle and high impact. In this paper, firstly, the finite element simulation of milling SA 508III steel is carried out to study the characteristics of thermal-mechanical load and tool wear during milling. Secondly, the wear experiment of cemented carbide tools is carried out. The morphology changes of the rake face and flank face of cemented carbide tools are observed and analyzed. The nature of tool wear and damage is discussed. Finally, the rule of crack development from microscopic defects to macroscopic cracks until tool fracture is described, and the tool failure mechanism is explored. The research results can provide theoretical basis and technical support for the optimal design of cutting tools of high-efficiency milling SA 508III steel and the improvement of cutting performance and service life of tools.