Study of Coating/Work Material Interaction in Turning with Chip Forming Inserts

Abstract

This paper presents some interesting and novel results of an experimental study on the influence of the coating structure on the behaviour of the tribo-contact between the tool and the chip. The experiments involved TiC, TiC/TiN and TiC/Al2O3/TiN — coated flat-faced and grooved inserts in conjunction with a medium carbon steel and an austenitic stainless steel. Extensive experimental studies involving the cutting force and the tool-chip interface temperature were carried out. Two new parameters were introduced in order to compare both the mechanical and thermal loadings of the tool-chip contact for the two shapes of the rake face. Some optimal coating structures for high speed machining of the two steels corresponding to the reduction of the contact temperature and power consumption were selected.