The effect of inclusion composition on tool wear in hard part turning using PCBN cutting tools

The longest tool life was obtained when cutting the Ca-treated steel. The improved machinability is linked to the deposition of complex (Mn,Ca)S and (Ca,Al)(O,S) protective slag layers that form on the rake face of the cutting tool during machining. Cutting in this steel also resulted in a typical ridge formation in the tool edge crater. Transfer of workpiece material to the rake face crater is characteristic in hard part turning of steel with high cleanliness. This is suggested to be related to the lack of the sulfides that lubricate conventional machinability treated steels, and that the crater wear of low-sulfur steel is more pronounced than for steels with higher sulfur content.