Cutting Performance and Lubrication Mechanism of Cutting 45 Steel with Tool Continuously Lubricated at the Tool-chip Interface

In order to improve the tool lubrication performance and reduce the use of cutting fluid as much as possible, a new type of tool with continuous lubrication at tool-chip interface has been fabricated. The tool can deliver the cutting fluid directly to the tool-chip contact interface through the inner microchannel. The new cutting tool and conventional cutting tools under the condition of dry cutting and pouring cutting fluid were used to cut 45 steel. The three-dimensional cutting force was measured. The wear surface of the rake face was analyzed by SEM micro morphology and element detection. The friction and wear characteristics and lubrication mechanism of the tool were analyzed. The results show that, compared with the conventional tools in dry cutting and pouring cutting fluid, the tool with continuous lubrication at too-chip interface may effectively reduce the friction and wear during the cutting process, while the amount of cutting fluid is only 1/120 of that in traditional pouring cutting. Through the element analysis of the rake face, it maybe seen that the cutting fluid can arrive at the area closer to the main cutting edge, and maysupply continuously. This is the main reason that the tool has better antifriction and anti-wear effect. Although the adhesion of new tools is greatly reduced, the main wear mechanism of tools is still adhesive wear and oxidation wear. © 2021, China Mechanical Engineering Magazine Office. All right reserved.