Material transfer during machining of aluminum alloys with polycrystalline diamond cutting tools

An analysis of a polycrystalline diamond (PCD)-tipped tool after drilling 40,000 holes in aluminum (Al) 319 alloy under fully lubricated conditions is reported. It is found that aluminum adheres to the PCD tip surface during the machining process under lubricated condition. The aluminum transferring leads to poor surface finishing. Surface morphology analysis and element mapping suggests that the cobalt (Co) binder in the PCD tips is responsible for the adhesion of aluminum to the PCD surface, due to the chemical affinity between aluminum and cobalt. Approaches to prevent the adhesion of aluminum to the tool are discussed.