Experimental and numerical investigations of single abrasive-grain cutting

The present work will provide an in-depth analysis of the abrasive-grain cutting process using a combination of experimental observations and finite element simulations. The workpiece material was AISI 4340. The cutting tool was spherical in shape with a 0.508 mm radius and was fabricated from diamond. The experiments were conducted at cutting speeds of 5−30 m/s in 5 m/s increments and depths of cut from 0.3 to 7.5 μm. The analysis provided a comprehensive understanding of the abrasive-grain cutting process related to the friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece, the material mechanics of the workpiece, and the cutting mechanics of the operation. It was found that the normal forces increased as cutting speed increased due to strain-rate hardening of the workpiece and that the tangential forces decreased as cutting speed was increased due to a reduction in tool-workpiece friction and due to a change in cutting mechanics. The scratch profiles showed that the cutting mechanics changed as cutting speed was increased due to a reduction in material pile-up height. The approximate uncut chip thicknesses for the transitions from elastic, elastoplastic, and fully plastic cutting were identified and were found to increase as cutting speed was increased.

► Experimental and finite element analysis of single abrasive-grain cutting.
► Normal forces increased with cutting speed due to strain-rate hardening.
► Tangential forces decreased with cutting speed due to friction and cutting mechanics.
► Material pile-up height reduced as cutting speed increased.