On the use of fractal methods for the tool flank wear characterization

•The relationship between surface roughness and fractal dimension of ceramic tool flank wear is identified.•The fractal dimension is relevant to the vertical and transverse parameters of the surface topography of tool flanks.•A low fractal dimension can be explained by the formation of an oxide film between the sliding couples.

Fractal theory is widely used to analyze the topography of machined surfaces, but the relationship between fractal dimensions and tool flank wear has hardly been reported. In this paper, the fractal dimensions of tool flank wear are described based on the surface roughness Ra rather than the conventional worn width VB to evaluate tool wear, thus providing better fractal identification in evaluating tool performance.