Shuho Koseki

Damage of PVD-Coated Cutting Tools Due to Interrupted Cutting of Ni-Based Superalloys

Ni-based superalloys are typically difficult-to-cut materials. During machining, the cutting forces and temperatures of these superalloys are generally higher than those of other materials. Therefore, the tool life of the coated carbide cutting tools used for superalloy machining is shortened. This study evaluates the damage of the coated end mills during interrupted cutting of alloy 718 and finds the coating properties necessary for improved cutting of Ni-based superalloys. Damage of the PVD-TiN-coated cutting tools was observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the surfaces and cross sections. In addition, friction forces were measured during turning for some coatings, and hardness of the coatings was measured after annealing. Plastic deformation of the coating and crack formation was shown to occur at the coating cross section. In addition, we determined that the major factor for the damage was high friction force between the coating surface and work material at high temperatures. In summary, coatings with stability at high temperatures and low friction forces during machining can reduce the damage of coated cutting tools, thus increasing the tool life.

Relationship between Cutting Heat and Tool Edge Temperature in End Milling of Titanium Alloy

In this study, tool edge temperature was measured by a two-color pyrometer with an optional fiber. During one revolution of spindle, the tool edge passes over the fine hole at workpiece after cutting workpiece. An optical fiber inserted into the fine hole transmits infrared ray radiated from tool edge to two detectors with different spectral sensitivities. One peak signal from each detector can be obtained by each spindle revolution. The tool edge temperature can be calculated by taking the ratio of outputs from these two detectors. The relation between cutting heat calculated from cutting force and tool edge temperature was discussed. The tool edge temperature at the same cutting heat could be compared. The wet cutting condition caused lower tool edge temperature than the others at the same cutting heat. MQL and dry showed almost same tool edge temperature. The dispersion of tool edge temperature in wet cutting is wider than that in dry cutting and MQL cutting.

Influence of the Cutting Fluid on Tool Edge Temperature in End Milling of Titanium Alloy

In this study, tool edge temperature was measured by a two-color pyrometer with an optional fiber and the novel method to evaluate the cooling effect of cutting fluid was proposed. After one cut, the tool edge passes over the fine hole at workpiece where inserted into an optical fiber so that the one peak signal can be obtained by each of two detectors with different spectral sensitivities in the pyrometer. The tool edge temperature can be calculated by taking the ratio of outputs from these two detectors. In previous research dealing with the cutting temperature in end milling obtained by a two-color pyrometer with an optional fiber, the average temperature calculated from some large peak values was used for an index as cutting temperature. However, this method was not suitable to estimate the tool edge temperature in wet milling. In the proposed method, the tool edge temperature was calculated only by the peak signals just after full length cut and used for an index as cutting temperature. The frequency distribution of tool edge temperature was made by the obtained temperature data. Comparing dry cutting to wet cutting, there was almost no difference in maximum temperature but obvious difference in the frequency distribution. The temperature range in wet cutting was wider than that in dry cutting.

Effect of Work Material’s Hardness on Cutting Performance of TiAlN- and CrAlN-Coated Cutting Tools

For better selection of coated cutting tools, TiAlN (Ti50Al50N) and CrAlN (Cr50Al50N) coatings were deposited onto ball-nose and square end mills using arc evaporation, and their cutting performances were evaluated using steel workpieces of various hardnesses. In particular, cutting tests were performed on three types of workpieces, made from S50C, SKD61, and SKD11 steels, having Brinell hardness numbers of HB220, HRC40, and HRC60, respectively. The results of the cutting experiments were elucidated and discussed in terms of the mechanical properties and anti-oxidation resistances of the different coatings. The results revealed that TiAlN-coated square end mills at high cutting speeds (V = 200 m/min ) had superior performance when used on steels with high hardness (SKD11), whereas CrAlN-coated ball-nose end mills were superior when used on low hardness steel (S50C). Therefore, CrAlN-coated ball-nose end mills are concluded to be suitable for the machining of low hardness steels, whereas TiAlN-coated square end mills are preferable for the machining of high hardness steels (SKD11).