Tool life and wear mechanism of coated and uncoated Al2O3/TiCN mixed ceramic tools in turning hardened alloy steel

► Two different wear/damage regimes were identified. ► Crater wear is dominant in both coated and uncoated cutting tool. ► Chipping/fracture was observed in uncoated cutting tool. ► Wear/damage type that occur on the tool also changes chip flow direction. ► Chip under high temperatures is smeared onto the workpiece.