The performance of TiN coated carbide tools when turning AISI 8620 steel

This work is concerned with the performance of uncoated and coated carbide tools (ISO grade K10) with a 3 μm thick monolayer of TiN (produced by PAPVD) when continuous turning AISI 8620 steel. For this purpose a topographic analysis was employed to assess the crater wear volume evolution. This methodology is considered a more realistic alternative to study crater wear when compared to the bi-dimensional parameters established by ISO 3685/93. The tests were carried out under typical machining conditions. The results indicated that two distinct crater wear rates are present when machining using coated cutting tools, whereas a higher and single wear rate was identified for the uncoated inserts.