The Investigations of Tool Wear and Wear Mechanism with Water Vapor as Coolants and Lubricants in Green Cutting

摘要

In machining, coolants and lubricants improve machinability, increase productivity by reducing the tool wear and extend the tool life. However, the use of cutting fluid in metal working may seriously degrade the quality of environment. Green cutting is becoming increasingly more popular due to concern regarding the safety of the environment and operator health. The experimental investigations were carried out with cemented carbide tool in turning ANSI 304 stainless steel and applications of water vapor, CO_2, O_2 as coolants and lubricants. The application of water vapor as coolants and lubricants allowed extending tool life. The catalysis chemical reaction have been generated between water molecules (H_2O), oxygen atoms (O) of water vapor and fresh metal surface of tool-chip contact region, and multi-dimension metal oxidations which has been formed in tool-chip contact zone weakened mutual action between tool bulk material and chip.