Experimental investigations and performance analysis in turning of nodular cast iron using cryogenically treated tungsten carbide inserts

Cryogenic treatment is an inexpensive one time permanent treatment affecting the entire section of the component. It has been acknowledged as a means of extending the performance of the cutting tool material. So far, most of the studies are conducted pertaining to the cryogenic treatment of high speed steel (HSS). Presently, as the industries become modernised with CNC machine tools, the major cutting tool materials used are carbides. This paper deals with the cryogenic treatment of tungsten carbide (WC) inserts and the analysis on the improvement in performance due to the treatment. This paper compares the performances between the cryogenically treated (CT) and untreated (UT) inserts and it is found that the cryogenically treated inserts exhibit better performance based on the surface roughness of the workpiece, power consumption and flank wear than the untreated ones. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis is carried out for the worn out cryogenically treated and untreated cutting tool inserts to predict the flank wear resistance. Improved wear resistance is due to the presence of η-carbide formation in the inserts which is analysed by microscopic examination. Copyright © 2009, Inderscience Publishers.