Tool Wear Mechanisms during Machining of Alloy 625

Nickel-base superalloys like Alloy 625 are widely used in power generation applications due to their unique properties especially at elevated temperatures. During the related component manufacturing for gas turbines up to 50% of the material has to be removed by metal cutting operations like milling, turning or drilling. As a result of high strength and toughness the machinability of Alloy 625 is generally poor and only low cutting speeds can be used. High-speed cutting of Alloy 625 on the other hand gets more important in industry to reduce manufacturing times and thus production costs. The cutting speed represents one of the most important factors that have influences on the tool life. The aim of this study is the analyses of wear mechanisms occurring during machining of Alloy 625. Orthogonal cutting experiments have been performed and different process parameters have been varied in a wide range. New and worn tools have been investigated by stereo microscopy, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray analyses were used for the investigation of chemical compositions of the tool's surface as well as the nature of reaction products formed during the cutting process. Wear mechanisms observed in the machining experiments included abrasion, fracture and tribochemical effects. Specific wear features appeared depending on the mechanical and thermal conditions generated in the wear zones.