Built-up Edge Research Articles

The Effects of Alloy Composition and Surface Integrity on the Machinability of Austenitic Stainless Steels 304 and 304L

Austenitic stainless steels, such as 304 and 304L, are extensively utilized in diverse industries due to their favorable properties, including biocompatibility, high durability, ductility, toughness at cryogenic temperatures, and excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, these steels exhibit notable resistance to fatigue and oxidation. Despite these advantages, they are challenging to machine due to characteristics such as high work hardening, built-up edge formation, and low heat conductivity. The material 304L distinguishes itself from material 304 through its lower carbon content, making it more resistance to corrosion. 304L is experiencing a consistent rise in industrial demand. It is anticipated that this advanced material will progressively supersede 304 in various applications. The variability in alloy compositions and surface integrity of blanks can influence the tool wear and may even lead to abrupt tool breakage, necessitating supervision during machining operations. This study delves into the correlation between the alloy compositions, micro structure, surface integrity, and machinability of these special steels, focusing on turning processes. Various blanks of 304 and 304L in the form of bars, sourced from different manufacturers, were utilized in the study. These blanks exhibited slight variations in alloy composition (albeit within the standard range) and differed in the state of surface integrity characterized by variations in microstructure, grain size, microhardness, and residual stress. All blanks (across this array of materials) were subjected to turning using the same tool specifications and sets of machining parameters for comparative analysis. Various machinability indicators, including cutting forces, surface roughness, burr formation, tool wear, and chip morphology, were thoroughly examined. The findings highlight that the key factors influencing machinability include the microhardness of the surface and the residual stress state in the subsurface of the bars before the turning process. In contrast, changing the alloy composition within the standard range has hardly any effect on the machinability of these steels. The machinability of the examined specimens was adversely affected when the hardness exceeded 350 HV from the surface up to 2 mm below the surface and simultaneously the surface compressive residual stress exceeded −130 MPa.

A deep transfer learning model for online monitoring of surface roughness in milling with variable parameters

Surface roughness is crucial for the functional and aesthetic properties of mechanical components and must be carefully controlled during machining. However, predicting it under varying machining parameters is challenging due to limited experimental data and fluctuating factors like tool wear and vibration. This study develops a deep transfer learning model that incorporates the correlation alignment method and tool wear to enhance model generalization and reduce data acquisition costs. It utilizes multi-sensor data and the ResNet18 with a convolutional block attention module (CBAM-ResNet) to extract features with improved generalization and accuracy for monitoring milled surface roughness under varying conditions. The performance of the model is evaluated from different perspectives. First, the proposed model achieves high accuracy with fewer than 500 experimental samples from the target domain by using the CORAL module in the CBAM-ResNet model. This demonstrates the model's strong generalization capability by minimizing second-order statistical discrepancies between different datasets. Second, ablation experiments reveal a significant reduction in test error when incorporating CORAL and tool wear, highlighting their contributions to improved model generalization. Integrating tool wear information significantly reduces test errors across various transfer conditions, as it reflects changes in cutting force, vibration, and built-up edge formation. Third, comparisons with existing deep transfer models further emphasize the advantages of the proposed approach in improving model generalization. In summary, the proposed surface roughness model, which incorporates tool wear and multi-sensor signal features as inputs and employs feature transfer and CBAM-ResNet, demonstrates superior generalization and accuracy across various machining parameters.

Cooling and Lubricating Strategies for INCONEL® Alloys Machining: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Advances

Abstract INCONEL® alloys are Ni-based superalloys with superior mechanical properties for extremely high temperature (T) applications. These alloys present significant challenges: they are difficult-to-cut materials due to the low thermal conductivity (k), severe work hardening and elevated surface hardness. They are widely used in applications that require good dimensional stability; however, built-up edge (BUE) followed by premature Tool Wear (TW) are the most common problems when applying conventional machining (CM) and hybrid machining processes, i.e. Additive Manufacturing (AM) followed by milling, resulting in a meagre final product finishing. Regarding cooling/lubricating environments, a miscellanea of methods can effectively be applied to INCONEL® alloys, depending on their advantages and disadvantages. It is imperative to refine the machining parameters to enhance the performance outcomes of the process, particularly concerning the quality and cost-effectiveness of the product. This current review intends to offer a systematic summary and analysis of the progress taken within the field of INCONEL® CM and the various cooling/lubricating methods over the past decade, filling a gap found in the literature in this field of knowledge. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed in this study, aiming to identify pertinent papers within the cooling and lubricating strategies for INCONEL® alloys machining. The most recent solutions found in the industry and the prospects from researchers will be presented, providing significant insights for academic researchers and industry professionals. It was found that selecting cooling methods for INCONEL® machining requires careful consideration of various factors. Each lubrication environment utilized in traditional INCONEL® machining methods offer unique advantages and challenges regarding the different outcomes: TW, Tool-Life (TL) and/or surface quality assessment; nevertheless, cryogenic cooling by CO2(l) and N2(l) highlights as the better cooling environment to improve the machined surface quality.

The impact of heat treatment process on the drilling characteristics of Al–5Si–1Cu–Mg alloy produced by sand casting

Aluminum–Silicon (Al–Si) based materials are commonly preferred in engineering studies requiring high mechanical performance as an alternative to steel materials. These alloys are especially preferred in the automotive industry, aerospace components and heavy machinery parts. In post-casting processes, machining operations are of great importance for high geometric precision, surface quality and longer fatigue life in mechanical environments. In this research, the microstructural, mechanical and machining characteristics of the Al–5Si–1Cu–Mg material produced by sand casting method in both as-cast (AC) and heat-treated (HTed) (Solid solution, quenching and aging-SQA) states were experimentally investigated. Microstructural examinations were carried out with optical microscope and SEM images. Mechanical properties were determined by tensile and hardness tests. Then, drilling experiments were performed in the CNC vertical machining center with 8 mm diameter uncoated HSS (High Speed Steel) cutting tools at constant cutting conditions (i.e., cutting speed-V: 125 m/min, feed rate-f: 0.05 mm/rev and depth of cut-DoC: 15 mm). In microstructural investigations, it was determined that the microstructure of the Al–5Si–1Cu–Mg material in AC state consists of α-Al, eutectic Si, β-Fe (β-Al5FeSi) and π-Fe (π-Al8Mg3FeSi6) intermetallics. After the SQA, the existing phases generally exhibited a spherical structure, and it was seen that the β phase in the microstructure transformed into the Ɵ (Al7FeCu2) phase. SQA improved the hardness, yield and tensile durability of the material, whereas decreasing the elongation to fracture. SQA process improved the machining characteristics of the material by decreasing thrust force, moment, surface roughness and built-up edge (BUE) formation. The machined subsurface structure of HTed alloy under constant cutting conditions was determined to be more stable and smooth and the machined surface microhardness of HTed alloy was higher compared to as-cast alloy due to the effect of solid precipitation hardening. In addition, shorter and more broken chips occurred in the machining of HTed alloys due to the effect of low elongation to fracture.

Improving surface integrity of GH4169 alloy through magnetic-assisted cutting

GH4169 alloy presents superior properties such as high strength and resistance to high temperature, but possesses poor machinability. To ameliorate the problem and improve the machined surface integrity of GH4169 alloy, this paper focused on the application of magnetic-assisted cutting (MAC) for GH4169 alloy. In the MAC process, a permanent magnetic field (the magnetic field intensity is 0.25 T) was applied to the workpiece material during cutting, and its impact on chip morphology, tool damage and surface integrity was investigated. By comparing to traditional cutting (TC), the introduction of a magnetic field results in a reduction in the chip thickness and minimizes chip serration, leading to smoother cutting process and reduced fluctuations in cutting forces. Meanwhile, the introduction of magnetic field resulted in a substantial decrease in the notch wear and abrasion of cutting tool, and mitigated the excessive growth of built-up edge (BUE), which improved the tool life and machined surface integrity. By analyzing the machined surface at the end of TC and MAC, it was found that the surface roughness at the end of MAC was reduced by 22.4 %. Meanwhile, the cavity, side flow and debris of BUE, which tend to occur in the machined surface during the TC process, are effectively suppressed after MAC. Furthermore, Microstructural analysis of the machined surface indicated an enhancement in the dislocation density on the machined surface layer, suggesting the magnetoplastic effect of the magnetic field on GH4169 alloy.

Influence of cryogenic CO2 on wood-plastic composite (WPC) turning-performance characteristics: a comparison with dry machining

ABSTRACT Wood plastic composite (WPC) is an environmentally friendly wood material widely used to manufacture wood products for indoor and outdoor use. In traditional WPC cutting, a built-up edge is easily generated in the cutting zone, which negatively affects the machined surface quality. Cryogenic cutting technology can effectively suppress the formation of built-up edges in the cutting zone and improve machining quality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the cryogenic cutting properties of WPC. Cryogenic turning tests and dry turning tests were carried out on WPC, and cutting temperature, cutting force, and surface roughness were compared and analyzed. The results showed that cryogenic CO 2 airflow improved heat dissipation in the cutting zone and effectively reduced the temperature. Under the effect of cryogenic CO 2 , the strength of WPC increased, resulting in a higher cutting force for cryogenic turning than that for dry turning. Cryogenic cutting of WPC resulted in a smoother surface than dry cutting. During the WPC cryogenic turning process, increasing cutting depth and feed rate causes an increase in cutting temperature, cutting force and surface roughness. Increasing cutting speed also cause an increase in cutting temperature, but the reduction in cutting forces and surface roughness is beneficial. In summary, cryogenic cutting of WPC can achieve better surface quality than dry machining, and these results can contribute to practical guidelines for industrial applications.

Adhesive built-up edge on tool steels due to friction and wear

When processing metals by cutting, there are a number of materials prone to growth. This phenomenon leads to a change in the geometry of the cutter, cutting forces and surface quality, final dimensions of the part. In friction nodes: shaft-sleeve, piston-sleeve, etc. this phenomenon causes jamming. In this work, experimental studies of the processes of dry friction of tool steels with coatings were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing the growth process. As a result, it was established that the nature of formation, destruction and size of growth of materials prone to growth depends on the chemical composition of the material and modes of friction. High-strength chromium-manganese steels are most prone to growth and microseizures. It is shown that the well-known recommendation of increasing speed cannot always be used to prevent build-up, but it can be achieved by using single-layer and multi-layer coatings with a defect-free structure and moderate friction modes. It was found that electrolytic single-layer nickel and chromium coatings contribute to the formation of growth on the studied materials and this phenomenon does not depend on the modes of friction, while the same chemical coatings, which have an almost defect-free structure, are almost not prone to growth formation.

Study on tool wears in turning Al2219, unhybrid and hybrid metal matrix nano composites by CCD design of experiment

In this article, Aluminum (Al2219) as a matrix, and particles of n-B4C and MoS2 were chosen as reinforcements. By means of the stir casting technique, the unhybrid and hybrid nano metal matrix composites were prepared. The turning experiment was done through CCD design of experiment with TiN coated carbide insert using a Computer Numerically Controlled Lathe. Also, for turned inserts tool wear measurement was done using a Mitutoyo profile projector with digital readout. By ANOVA the significant contribution for tool wear of each parameter can be identified and the confirmation test is performed in sort to validate the tool wear results. Furthermore, the formation of chips during turning nano MMCs (unhybrid and hybrid) are studied for different feed rates ( f) and cutting speeds ( v) at 0.5 mm constant depth of cut. The outcome showed that both increases in cutting speed and feed rate increase the tool wear. For Al 2219, unhybrid and hybrid nano metal matrix composites feed rate is the important factor. The value of tool wear of the Al2219 matrix is minimal and for unhybrid nano composite is maximum. The leading wear mechanism in unhybrid nano composite is abrasion. Moreover, with the addition of 2%MoS2 in the hybrid nanocomposite the tool wears is decreased. The development of Build Up Edge (BUE) was seen on the flank face of the cutting tool for hybrid nanocomposite at 0.5 mm depth of cut, (v = 114.64 m/min) and (f = 0.441 mm/rev). The obtained % error among the modeled and experimental values is <5% and it is well within the limit. The analysis of chip formation was studied for nanocomposites at lower as well as higher feed rates, cutting speeds, and constant depth of cut during turning.

Study of the influence of cutting parameters on tool wear and the state of the machined surface

This work presents a study of wear on the clearance face of turning tools. This study will contribute to the development of improved machining precision and efficiency while extending tool life and also ensuring the surface quality produced, despite wear and edge deposition phenomena. A tool flank wear model is developed as a function of the cutting conditions, including the cutting speed, depth of cut, feed rate, and machining time. Factors influencing tool clearance face wear are determined through experimental testing. We also investigate the edge phenomenon reported on the tool cutting face by plotting a curve of the edge variation versus the machining time. Tool wear and built-up edge phenomena both affect the quality of the surface finish produced. Additionally, the edge phenomenon degrades the geometric quality of the tool and generates wear on the tool clearance face. Therefore, models are developed to aid in selection of appropriate cutting conditions that ensure the expected surface finish is realized while also providing control over tool wear. Overall, this method combines experimental and theoretical approaches to study and control turning tool wear with the aim of improving both machining quality and efficiency.

Effect of Deposition Parameters on Micromechanical Properties and Machining Performance of CrN Coating for Wet Finish Turning of Ti6Al4V Alloy.

This study aims to optimize the performance of CrN coatings deposited on WC cutting tools for machining Ti6Al4V alloy, where the formation of built-up edge (BUE) is a prevalent and critical issue. In-house CrN coatings were developed using the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process, with variations in deposition parameters including nitrogen gas pressure, bias voltage, and coating thickness. A comprehensive experimental approach encompassing deposition, characterization, and machining performance evaluation was employed to identify the optimal deposition conditions. The results indicated that CrN coatings deposited at a nitrogen gas pressure of 4 Pa, a bias voltage of -50 V, and a thickness of 1.81 µm exhibited superior performance, significantly reducing BUE formation and tool wear. These optimized coatings demonstrated enhanced properties, such as a higher elastic modulus and a lower coefficient of friction, which contributed to improved tool life and machining performance. Comparative studies with commercial CrN coatings revealed that the in-house developed coatings outperformed the commercial variants by approximately 65% in tool life, owing to their superior mechanical properties and reduced friction. This research highlights the potential of tailored CrN coatings for advanced machining applications and emphasizes the importance of optimizing deposition parameters to achieve high-performance tool coatings.

Investigation on the machining characteristics of AZ91 magnesium alloy using uncoated and CVD-diamond coated WC-Co inserts

An investigation has been performed to study the compatibility of machining AZ91 magnesium alloy in dry conditions using uncoated and CVD diamond-coated WC-Co inserts. The machining characteristics such as built-up edge (BUE) formation, surface roughness, cutting forces and chip morphology were studied at the cutting speeds, 350, 650 and 950 m/min. The results revealed severe adhesion of the AZ91 Mg alloy on the uncoated WC-Co inserts with increasing cutting speed and contributed to an increase in surface roughness and cutting forces. The CVD diamond-coated inserts have shown negligible built-up edges at various cutting speeds due to their unique properties like low coefficient of friction, low chemical affinity and high thermal conductivity. Snarled types of long continuous chips were observed while machining with CVD diamond-coated WC-Co inserts, whereas short continuous chips were observed with uncoated WC-Co inserts.

Drilling performance of Al-Ni eutectic alloy with scandium addition

Al-Ni eutectic alloys are an alternative alloy for high-temperature applications because of their excellent thermal stability of the Al3Ni eutectic fibers. Since the matrix of eutectic Al-Ni is weak, adding Sc to the alloy (Al-6Ni-0.4Sc) is able to increase its strength and hardness. This study is to investigate the machinability of Al-6Ni-0.4Sc alloy compared to Al-6Ni alloy through a drilling process. The results revealed that the Al-6Ni-0.4Sc alloy required less power, torque, and thrust force in the drilling process than Al-6Ni, despite having higher strength and hardness. The average specific energy for the drilling of Al-6Ni-0.4Sc alloy was 1.011 W s/mm3. This was 12.77% less than the value for Al-6Ni alloy. The chip velocity in the drilling of the alloy with Sc addition was twice that of the alloy without Sc, implying low heat accumulation in the cutting tool, less tendency for built-up edge formation, and a low wear rate on the drill’s rake face when drilling Al-6Ni-0.4Sc alloy.

Experimental and simulative investigations of burr formation in planing of AISI 1045

The clearance flow in dry-running vacuum pumps is the main loss mechanism. To reduce the clearance mass flow rate in rarefied gas flows, sawtooth structures transversing to the direction of flow can be utilized. However, due to the sawtooth’s structure size, micro-machining is necessary, whereby burr formation is a central challenge. First, the effectiveness of non-idealized sawtooth structures is investigated, demonstrating a high sensibility of the performance regarding the geometry of the tip. Therefore, burr formation in the cutting process must be minimized. For this reason, a 3D finite element (FE) chip formation model capable of predicting the burr formation is developed. An analysis of the burr formation zone showed positive triaxialities; thus, the triaxiality-dependent Johnson–Cook damage model is utilized. To minimize the mesh-induced error, a convergence analysis is conducted, showing no convergence of the maximum burr height. This is caused by the pathological mesh size dependence of local continuum damage models. A comparison of the cutting experiments and simulations revealed a reasonable prediction of cutting forces. In contrast, the passive force is predicted poorly, which is attributed to the underestimation of the ploughing force for non-elastic simulations. The prediction quality regarding the maximum burr height differs for the investigated cutting speeds, which can be explained by a built-up edge and a change in the machine tool compliance. Thereby, an analysis of the burr formation revealed that the burr height is captured by a non-physical remeshing algorithm and that the burr volume might be a more appropriate characteristic.

Effects of magnetic intensity on the machining quality and tool damage in nickel-based superalloys subjected to magnetic-assisted cutting

Nickel-based superalloys are widely used in engine components due to their excellent high-temperature strength. However, their low plasticity and low thermal conductivity pose significant challenges in machining, leading to poor quality of machined parts and severe tool wear. Magnetic-assisted machining has received considerable attention as a clean and effective machining method, but its application to nickel-based superalloys is rarely reported, necessitating further exploration of its potential. This study focuses on GH4169 alloy and explores the effects of magnetic-assisted cutting (MAC) with varying intensities on the machining quality and tool wear. The experimental results indicate that the introduction of a magnetic field improves the machining quality by reducing tool wear and built-up edge adhesion. Additionally, both the plasticity and thermal conductivity of GH4169 alloy are improved under the effect of magnetic field, resulting in an 11.4 % decrease in cutting temperature. However, when the magnetic intensity ranges from 0.03 T to 0.12 T, secondary serration of the chip edges manifests, resulting in notch wear on the tool nose and a deterioration of surface quality. This secondary serration is attributed to the combined effect of tool nose radius and material plasticity under the magnetic field. As the magnetic field intensity increases further, the secondary serration gradually diminishes, and the surface roughness can be reduced by 26.5 % compared to traditional cutting. This study analyzed the relationship between machined surface, tool wear, chip morphology and magnetic field, and revealed the reasons for the differences in machining quality at different magnetic field intensities. These findings provide more possibilities for future applications of magnetic-assisted cutting to improve the machining quality of nickel-based superalloys and other difficult-to-machine metals.

A Comparative Study on Al0.6Ti0.4N Coatings Deposited by Cathodic Arc and HiPIMS in End Milling of Stainless Steel 316L

The machining of austenitic stainless steel alloys is usually characterized by high levels of adhesion and built-up edge; therefore, improving tribological conditions is fundamental to obtaining higher tool life and better surface finish. In this work, three different Al0.6Ti0.4N coatings are compared, two deposited by Cathodic Arc Evaporation (CAE) and one with High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS). The effects of the micromechanical properties and the microstructure of the coatings were then studied and related to the machining performance. Both arc-deposited coatings (CAE 1 and 2) exhibited similar average tool life, 127 min and 128 min, respectively. Whereas the HiPIMS lasted for only 21.2 min, the HiPIMS-coated tool had a much shorter tool life (more than six times lower than both CAE coatings) due to the intense adhesion that occurred in the early stages of the tool life. This higher adhesion ultimately caused built-up edge and chipping of the tool. This was confirmed by the cutting forces and more deformation on the shear band and undersurface of the chips, which are related to higher levels of friction. The higher adhesion could be attributed to the columnar structure of the HiPIMS and the (111) main texture, which presents a higher surface energy when compared to the dominant (200) from both arc depositions. Studies focused on tribology are necessary to further understand this relationship. In terms of micromechanical properties, tools with the highest plasticity index performed better (CAE 2 = 0.544, CAE 1 = 0.532, and HiPIMS = 0.459). For interrupted cutting machining where adhesion is the main wear mechanism, a reserve of plasticity is beneficial to dissipate the energy generated during friction, even if this was related to lower hardness levels (CAE 2 = 26.6 GPa, CAE 1 = 29.9 GPa, and HiPIMS = 33.6 GPa), as the main wear mechanism was adhesive and not abrasive.

Effects of longitudinal ultrasonic vibration on tool wear behaviors in side milling of GH4169D superalloy

The GH4169D superalloy, a novel Nickel-based material widely acknowledged for its exceptional high temperature strength and fatigue resistance properties, plays a pivotal role in the production of critical components of contemporary aero-engines. The material, however, falls under the category of a typical difficult-to-cut metallic material due to the substantial cutting forces and significant tool wear experienced during the machining process. In this paper, a method of longitudinal ultrasonic vibration assisted side milling (LUVM) was developed to extend tool life. The investigation primarily involved an analysis of tool wear behaviors, including milling force, tool life, morphologies of tool wear, and various underlying wear mechanisms in LUVM and conventional milling (CM) of GH4169D superalloy. The results demonstrate that LUVM exhibits the advantage of reducing milling forces and prolonging tool life in comparison to CM. Throughout the entire milling process, the maximum milling force of LUVM is consistently smaller than that of CM, displaying a comparatively slower growth trend. At the conclusion of machining, while CM reaches a maximum milling force of 360.3 N, the maximum milling force of LUVM (195.9 N) is significantly lower. The tool life of LUVM is 28.2 min, representing a 33 % increase compared to CM (21.2 min). Material adhesion, coating delamination, and built-up edge (BUE) phenomena can be observed on both the tool rake face and flank face in CM. LUVM contributes to mitigation of bonding phenomena, prevention of BUE formation, and avoidance of abrasive wear in comparison to CM. However, it is prone to lead to tool tip chipping. For CM, the tool wear mechanisms include adhesive wear, oxidation wear, abrasive wear and diffusion wear; whereas for LUVM, the tool wear mechanisms comprise of adhesive wear, oxidation wear and diffusion wear.

An Experimental Study on the Frictional Behavior of Ultrathin Metal Sheets at Elevated Temperatures.

Hot forming is an effective approach for improving the formability of ultrathin metal sheets, such as those made of stainless steel and pure titanium. However, the increased friction coefficient between the tool and the high-temperature metal sheet negatively affects material flow during hot forming, potentially resulting in severe local thinning or even cracking. This study explores the frictional behavior of 0.1 mm thick ferritic stainless steel (FSS) and commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) sheets at elevated temperatures. A friction testing apparatus was developed to measure the friction coefficients of these metal sheets from room temperature (25 °C) up to 600 °C. The friction coefficient of the FSS sheet increased monotonically with temperature, whereas that of the CP-Ti sheet first increased and then decreased. Post-friction testing microscopic examination demonstrated that built-up edges formed on the surfaces of the friction blocks when rubbed against the stainless steel, contributing to the higher friction coefficients. This study provides a foundation for understanding frictional behavior during the hot forming of ultrathin metal sheets.

Experimental research and optimization based on response surface methodology on machining characteristics of cast Al-7Si-0.6 Mg alloy: Effects of cutting parameters and heat treatment

In this study, structural, mechanical and machining features of Al-7Si-0.6 Mg alloy manufactured by permanent mold casting (PMC) in both as-cast (AC) and T6 heat-treated (HT) conditions were investigated. Structural and mechanical properties were determined using conventional methods. Milling experiments were conducted with titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) coated carbide end mills in CNC milling machine under conditions of three different cutting speeds (V: 50, 80 and 110 m/min), feed rate (f: 0.08; 0.16 and 0.24 mm/rev) and constant depth of cut (DoC) (1.5 mm). It was seen that structure of AC Al-7Si-0.6 Mg comprised of aluminum-rich α-Al, coral-like eutectic Al-Si, primary Si, Mg2Si, Fe-rich plate, acicular β-Fe (β-Al5FeSi) and script-like π-Fe (π-AlSiMgFe) intermetallic phases. Eutectic Al-Si, primary Si, β-Fe and π-Fe phases in the structure of the alloy in the HT condition were partially dissolved and turned into an agglomerated and spherical state. While the hardness (HB), yield (YS) and tensile strength (TS) of the alloy raised with HT, the elongation to fracture (EF) reduced. While cutting force (CF), surface roughness (SR), built-up layer (BUL) and built-up edge (BUE) decreased with increasing V, they increased with increasing f in the milling of both cast and HT alloys. Adhered layers and feed marks were consisted of the cutted surfaces of the alloys. While the most adhered layer was observed in AC alloys at a low V (50 m/min) and high f (0.24 mm/rev) combination, the least adhered layer formation was observed at the highest V and the lowest f value in HT alloys. Optimum parameters with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were determined as V: 125 m/min and f: 0.04 mm/rev in AC and HT cases. The statistical significance of V and f on CF and SR was revealed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), while mathematical models were improved to predict CF and SR.

The Influence of nc-AlCrTiN/α-BN Coatings on Increasing the Durability of WC/Co Cutting Inserts in the Inconel Alloy Machining Process.

Anti-wear coatings obtained through PVD methods may significantly increase the durability of cutting tools by impacting their wear mechanisms. This study presents and discusses the results of studies on the impact of the thermal conductivity of PVD coatings on the intensity of the built-up edge (BUE) and built-up layer (BUL) formation in Inconel 600 alloy machining processes. The authors determine the microstructure, phase structure, mechanical properties (hardness, Young's modulus, and adhesion), and thermal conductivity of different PVD coatings selected for the purpose of the study and varying in terms of conductivity-i.e., AlCrTiN and AlCrTiN/BN. Machining processes were carried out under controlled conditions using VBGT160404-M3 cutting inserts with AlCrTiN and AlCrTiN/BN coatings deposited on their surface. The authors prove that the adjustment of the thermal conductivity of PVD coatings to the thermal conductivity of the tool and machined materials can help change the direction of heat flow to cool the cutting zone more effectively. The study results presented in this article show that the deposition of the AlCrTiN/BN coating reduces the friction wear on the tool flank by over 70% and lowers the intensity of BUE and BUL formation processes on the face by 10%, compared to the AlCrTiN coating.

Effects of chip breaker groove and tool nose radius on progressive tool wear and behavior when turning GH3536 nickel-based superalloys

Nickel-based superalloys are typically challenging to machine and often exhibit severe tool wear during the turning process, thus attracting substantial research attention. This study not only explores the tool wear mechanisms when turning GH3536 nickel-based superalloys but also introduces a focus on the role of tool geometry configuration. Tools with different chip breaker groove structures and nose radii were investigated, with results indicating the tool wear mechanisms were predominantly abrasive and adhesive. For the 04HA chip breaker, which has a 9° rake angle and a "V"-shaped bottom, there is a single point of impact with the chip during cutting, while the 04VP3 chip breaker, with a 15° rake angle and a flat bottom, has two points of impact with the chip during cutting, increasing chip deformation and favoring chip breaking, thereby suppressing the formation of built-up edge. Additionally, changes in the nose radius influenced the degree of work hardening and consequently influence the severity of notch wear, with the nose radius also impacting the chip flow angle. Based on this finding, a theoretical mathematical model describing the initial chip flow angle was established and validated. Additionally, an examination of the effects of varying operating parameters on tool life was conducted, revealing that cutting speed was the most significant factor affecting tool life, followed by feed rate and depth of cut.