Chip Formation Characteristics in High-speed Machining of Hardened AISI1045 Steel

Analyzing mechanism of the chip formation is a significant way to understand the metal cutting process better. The characterization of serrated chip formation in high speed machining of hardened AISI1045 steel is investigated with the aid of optical microscopy and micro-hardness measurement in this paper. The chip morphology evolving from continuous one to serrated one with the cutting speed increasing from 100-1500m/min is observed. Compared with the continuous chip pattern, serrated chip has its particular characterization parameters. The characteristics of serration degree and the segmentation frequency of the serrated chip are presented. The micro-hardness at the adiabatic shear band of serrated chip is then measured. The results show that the serration degree and segmentation frequency of serrated chip have a tendency of enhancement with the cutting speed increasing. The micro-hardness along the adiabatic shear band increases with the cutting speed increasing due to severe strain hardening. With a critical speed at about 100-200m/min, micro-hardness decreases from the tool-chip interface to the free surface of the chip.