Comparative study of the effect of surface texturing on cutting tool in dry cutting

ABSTRACT

Recent researches in the field of dry machining have indicated that surface texture has the potential to influence tribological conditions. Researchers have studied the application of controlled surface microtextures on cutting tool surfaces to improve machining performance by changing the tribological conditions at the interfaces of tool–chip and tool–work piece. An experiment to study the performance of the microtextured high-speed steel cutting implement within the machining of steel and aluminum samples was performed. Surface textures were introduced using Rockwell hardness tester, Vickers hardness tester, and by scratching with diamond dresser on the face of single point cutting tool. Machining in dry conditions was applied on mild steel (EN3B) and aluminum (AA 6351) samples using lathe machine with microtextured and traditional cutting tool for the constant range of feed, depth of cut, and for varying range of cutting speeds. Measurement of cutting force, cutting temperature, and surface roughness of the work surfaces after machining were made. The results showed reduction in cutting forces and cutting temperature with textured tools in comparison with those of the untextured tool. Chips collected from different samples were studied under a microscope and the results showed that textures created on the tool surface by various methods exhibited variations in chip formation. Cutting tools without texture and with texture were comparatively studied and the outcomes of the experimental study are presented in this paper.

KEYWORDS:

• Chip
• cutting tool
• dry cutting
• friction
• micro dimple
• micro-textured
• rake face
• scratching
• surface texture
• tribology