Research on the nanometric machining of a single crystal nickel via molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the nanometric machining process of single crystal nickel. Atoms from different machining zones had different atomic crystal structures owing to the differences in the actions of the cutting tool. The stacking fault tetrahedral was formed by a series of dislocation reactions, and it maintained the stable structure after the dislocation reactions. In addition, evidence of crystal transition and recovery was found by analyzing the number variations in different types of atoms in the primary shear zone, amorphous region, and crystalline region. The effects of machining speed on the cutting force, chip and subsurface defects, and temperature of the contact zone between the tool and workpiece were investigated. The results suggest that higher the machining speed, larger is the cutting force. The degree of amorphousness of chip atoms and the depth and extent of subsurface defects increase with the machining speed. The average friction coefficient first decreases and then increases with the machining speed because of the temperature difference between the chip and machining surface.