Economic machining analysis of using coated cutting tools machining M42 tool steel at unusually low cutting speeds. (2nd December 2009) - Jackson, Mark J.
Nanostructured coated cutting tools are increasingly being used to machine difficult-to-cut materials. This is especially so in machining hardened tools, exotic alloys and fissile materials. This paper describes the recent developments concerned with machining hardened M42 tool steel that is used to simulate the conditions that pertain to the unusually low-speed machining of fissile materials. An experimental analysis of the wear of coated cutting tools and how the experimentally determined tool life is used to select the most appropriate coating according to the number of components to be machined is presented. The research shows that tools coated with a non-titanium-based coating are superior to those already used for machining hardened tool steels at low cutting speeds.