Analysis of the compromise between cutting tool life, productivity and roughness during turning of C45 hardened steel

Tool wear and surface roughness as performance indexes are considered to be the most important in terms of hardened materials' machinability. The best combination of cutting parameters which enhances the compromise between tool life, productivity and machined surface quality contribute to benefice on production cost, which makes manufacturing industry interested in it. The aim of this research is to investigate the life of ceramic cutting tool and machining productivity together with surface roughness during turning of hardened steel C45, with focus on the selection of the optimal cutting parameter combination. The experiments are carried out based on uni-factorial planning methodology of cutting speeds and feed rates. The results show that the mixed ceramic tool is suitable for turning hardened steel C45 (40 HRC) and the conclusion is that it performed well in terms of tool life, productivity and surface quality at a combination of cutting speed (200 m/min), feed (0.08 mm/rev) and depth of cut (0.3 mm). Additionally, a tool life model has been proposed which is presented very high coefficient of determination.