Finite element simulation of tool wear in turning of Inconel 718

In machining of nickel based superalloys, such as Inconel 718. tool wear is a major problem. Enhanced knowledge of the tool wear mechanism and capability to predict tool wear are of great importance. The objective with this paper is to investigate if an empirical wear model can describe the flank and crater wear of uncoated cemented carbide tool in a turning operation of Inconel 718. This empirical model has been implemented in a commercial FE-code and experimental trials have been conducted in order to obtain parameters of the empirical wear model and for validation. The wear rate volume at the flank and rake face as well as the cutting edge radius was measured with white light interferometry. FE-sunulations were performed to calculate the wear rate at different cutting speeds. Results and comparison between experiments and simulation are presented in the paper.