A comparative study on cutting tool performance in end milling of AISI D3 tool steel

In this work, high speed end milling of AISI D3 cold-work tool steel hardened to 35 HRC was investigated using coated carbide, coated cermet, alumina (Al2O3) based mixed ceramic and cubic boron nitride (CBN) cutting tools. Performances of the cutting tools were compared with respect to tool life and surface finish of the workpiece. The results were also discussed in terms of tool cost. The best cutting performance was obtained with CBN tool. TiCN mixed Al2O3 ceramic tool also proved to be suitable for high speed end milling of AISI D3 steel with 35 HRC. Coated carbide and coated cermet tools, on the other hand, did not exhibit good performance in high speed cutting operations. They should rather be used at low or moderate cutting speeds.