Modeling of flow stress in orthogonal micro-cutting process based on strain gradient plasticity theory

The rapidly increasing demand for miniature components machining processes has drawn more attention to micro-machining research. Flow stress has always been a significant base for analyzing plastic deformation in machining processes. However, few studies have been conducted to predict accurately the material flow stress in the micro-cutting processes. In order to describe size effect in micro-cutting, this paper discusses the development of a circular primary deformation zone model, calculates the strain gradient in the primary zone, and presents a new flow stress model based on the theory of strain gradient plasticity. First, a series of orthogonal cutting experiments are performed and flow stress is calculated from the experiment data. Results from the proposed model have been successfully validated with experimentally determined results. It shows that the flow stress in micro-cutting is influenced greatly by the feed rate and the cutting edge radius.