Wear modelling in mild steel orthogonal cutting when using uncoated carbide tools

Wear prediction in machining has been recently studied by FEM although the use of numerical methods for such applications is still a very challenging research issue. In fact, wear phenomenon involves many aspects related to process mechanics which require a very accurate modelling. In other words, only a very punctual code set-up can help the researchers in order to obtain consistent results in FE analysis. The high relative velocity between chip and tool requires effective material models as well as friction modelling at the interface. Moreover the prediction of temperature distribution is another critical task; in the paper some different procedures are discussed. Subsequently a wear model is presented and calibrated in order to obtain a suitable tool to be implemented in a FE code with the aim to describe the wear evolution during the simulation process. A proper designed experimental campaign supplied some reference data for model set-up and verify in the practical application. All these aspects are carefully discussed in the paper. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.