PERFORMANCE OF COATED CUTTING TOOLS IN MACHINING: A REVIEW
Rukmini Srikant Revuru1*, Vamsi Krishna Pasam2 and Nageswara Rao Posinasetti1
1,3 Department of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA.
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, Telangana, India.
1Email: rukmini.revuru@uni.edu *(Corresponding author)
2Email: vamsikrishna@nitw.ac.in
3Email: posinasetti.rao@uni.edu
Abstract:
Rapid advances in materials science have prompted the development of materials and alloys of enhanced properties like high strength, hardness, etc. Though these alloys are beneficial in their applications, their machining is difficult. For instance, Inconel 718, a nickel-based alloy, is used in several aerospace applications. This alloy can retain its strength at high temperatures up to 750℃. However, machining Inconel is a problem due to its poor machinability. Similarly, titanium alloys are not very hard but react with tools at high temperatures and lead to their premature failure. Carbide inserts are commonly used as cutting tools in the industry. Carbide tools are manufactured using powder metallurgy technique and possess high strength and hardness, even at elevated temperatures. However, these tools are not effective in machining of “difficult-to-machine” materials and have very short life. In light of this, coated tools have evolved. The cutting tools are coated using very hard, non-reacting material and sometimes a solid lubricant. The coatings are made usually by using PVD or CVD techniques. Often, intermediate layers are provided to improve adhesion between the substrate and the actual coating. Coated tools have better resistance to temperatures and hence, better tool life compared to the regular cutting tools. This paper deals with the evolution of the technology of coated tools. Different types of coatings, their advantages/limitations and efficacy of coated tools in machining are reviewed and discussed.
Keywords: Coatings, cutting tools, properties, tool wear
https://doi.org/10.47412/JSID9445
