Effect of cryotreatment on the wear performance of tungsten carbide tools

Success in metal cutting depends upon the selection of the proper cutting tool for a given work material. While, large varities of tools are available, High Speed Steel (HSS) tools and carbide inserts are popularly employed for machining operations. The tool life plays a critical role in the machining operation with regard to quality, time and cost. Cryogenic treatment is being extensively employed to enhance tool life, in particular for HSS tools. In this experimental work, wear resistance properties of tungsten-carbide tool inserts for machining bearing steel (En31) have been studied. After determining the cutting forces, surface roughness and flank wear for different cutting speeds and feed rates, the carbide inserts were cryotreated at 98K for 24 hours in a cryotreatment system followed by tempering at 448K. The tools after cryotreatment have resulted in reduced tool-work interface forces, better surface finish of work piece and increased wear resistance properties.