Study on performance of uncoated and coated tools in milling of Al–4%Cu/B 4 C metal matrix composites

Abstract

This paper studies the performance of uncoated and multiple coated tools in milling of Al–4%Cu/B₄C_p metal matrix composites (MMCs). Effect of cutting speed on the wear behaviour of tools and tool wear mechanisms were investigated. The milling operations were carried out at five different cutting speeds (100, 130, 169, 220 and 286 m min⁻¹) by keeping the feedrate constant (0·15 mm z⁻¹). In addition, flank wear limit value, V_B=0·3 mm was selected as reference value to determine and compare wear of the tools investigated. After milling experiments, an optical microscope was used to measure the magnitude of flank wear on the tools, whereas scanning electron microscope (SEM) was utilised to examine wear mechanisms. According to experimental results, the multiple coated tool showed better performance than uncoated one at all cutting speeds and flank wear that changed with cutting speeds significantly was found as the main wear mechanism for both tools.