Degradation of a nano-cutting tool: An MD simulation

We present the results of molecular-dynamics simulations of repeated interactions of a realistically-shaped cutting edge with a model, infinitely hard grain. The model edge is composed of several hundred thousand atoms of an fcc metal treated with the Sutton-Chen potential, moving with a constant speed of 20 m s−1. Plastic deformations appearing upon contact with the rigid obstacle are observed and described by means of temperature fields and the atomic slip vector. Preferred slip planes are identified and the normal force experienced by the tool is investigated. The effect of periodic boundary conditions along the z (in-plane) direction is assessed by comparing the results of two simulations, differing only by the simulation box's length along the z-axis.