Machining characteristics of novel-abrasion resistant iron

Novel-abrasion resistant iron (N-AR iron) is a new cast iron, which basically is a high-Cr white cast iron alloyed with cemented carbide (13 wt.%). The cemented carbide can be either powder from cemented carbide tool or use of recycled carbide tool. The characteristic properties for the material are the castability and its superior wear resistance which means that the N-AR iron has a high potential as tool material in many industrial applications, for example, in sheet metal forming processes and other tools exposed for abrasive wear. In presented paper, machining characteristics or machinability of N-AR iron was investigated in order to select suitable tool material and cutting parameters for this material with respect to achievable surface roughness (Rz), dimensional accuracy, material removal rate and tool wear rate. Cutting forces and chip shape of the N-AR iron material were also examined during the investigation to clarify the reason why the tool rate is so high in the machining.