Characteristics of chip evolution with elevating cutting speed from low to very high

To validate the correlation between chip morphology and material dynamic mechanical properties, a wide-range cutting speed (from 30 m/min to 7000 m/min) experiment is conducted with AerMet100 steel. The chips are collected and photos are taken with an optical microscope. The focus is put on workpiece material embrittlement and chip morphology evolution with the cutting speed rising. It is found that with the increase of cutting speed the workpiece material embrittles. At 7000 m/min the metal becomes completely brittle and the chip is made up of small non-plastic fractured fragments. Characteristics of the cutting temperature and cutting heat in the process are also presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.