Study of burr behavior in face milling of PH 13-8 Mo stainless steel

• Burr dimensions in face milling of stainless steel is investigated.
• Cutting fluids application method, cutting tool geometry and radial depth of cut were varied.
• The burrs were reproduced in condensed silicone molds to allow measurement of their dimensions.
• Tool geometry and radial depth affected the burr height but not the cutting fluid application method.

Burr formation in machining processes is considered to be one of the main problems in manufacturing. Its undesirable appearance changes the dimensions of machined products, poses a risk to the physical safety of workers, and hinders the assembly of mechanical systems, among other disadvantages. Therefore, burr dimensions must be studied in order to determine whether they can be removed, totally eliminated or at least minimized. Milling is a machining operation where burr is particularly important due to the frequency that it appears. This work involved face milling of PH 13-8 Mo stainless steel with coated cemented carbide inserts. An analysis was made to determine the influence of cutting fluid application method (flooding, low flow, MQL and dry), cutting tool geometry and radial depth of cut on burr height. Measurements were taken of the height of the exit burr formed on the lateral edge of the workpiece. Molds of the workpiece edge were produced with condensed silicone replicas of the “negative” burr and these replicas were taken to an optical microscope and image analysis software was used to measure them. Burr height was found to be considerably influenced by cutting tool geometry and radial depth of cut, but not by the method of application of cutting fluid.