Mechanisms of self-organization during cutting Inconel718

Tool wear/tool life of PVD cemented coated carbide material in machining superalloy In718 has been studied by different methods. Self-organization theory is one of the effective ways to explain tool wear/tool life. In this paper, the effect of cutting speed on tool wear (tool life) of the PVD cemented coated carbide inserts was experimented and analyzed. Worn and fractured surfaces of the cutting tools were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Self-organization of cutting tools during wear process was analyzed through SEM and EDS analysis. The results revealed that built-up edge, flow zone, oxygen-containing surface film and adhesive layer were four forms of tool self-organization in high speed turning of In718 with PVD cemented carbide inserts. Self-organization of the cutting tools took place with all kinds of wear mechanism during cutting. They affected the cutting tools in opposite directions with tool wear mechanisms, reducing the tool wear, protecting the loss of the tool materials effectively.