Influence of the tool surface micro topography on the tribological characteristics in metal cutting: Part I experimental observations of contact conditions

The influence of surface micro topography of CVD α-Al2O3 coatings, deposited on cemented carbide inserts, on tribological characteristics in sliding contact and in metal cutting has been investigated using quenched and tempered steel as counter/work material. Pin-on-disc and turning tests were carried out and post-test characterization using 3D optical surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy was performed in order to investigate the tribological response of the coatings. The results show that surface micro topography can have a significant impact on the tribological performance of Al2O3 coatings under initial and cutting contact conditions. For both kinds of tests the tendency for transfer of workpiece material strongly increases with increasing coating micro topography. In the pin-on-disc tests, a smooth coating surface significantly reduces the friction coefficient. In the turning tests the contact conditions at the flank face increase with decreasing micro topography. In contrast, no general conclusions can be drawn regarding the influence of coating micro topography on the contact conditions at the rake face. The resulting topography of the turned surface was found to increase with increasing coating topography.

► Smooth coating reduces the interaction between coating and workpiece material.
► Contact conditions at flank face increases with decreasing coating topography.
► The choice of calculating method strongly influences the contact conditions.
► There exists an optimal value of the coating topography at the rake face.