Effect of Tool Wear on Tri-Phase CVD Coated Carbide Tools Life while Turning Al6061

Aluminum 6061 is a common alloy which is widely used in aerospace and yacht construction industry. Generally machining of aluminum alloys inherently generates high chip sticking on tool face and changes the tool edge geometry, which not only reduces tool life but also impairs the product surface quality. This study investigated the tool life and tool wear mechanisms besides evaluating surface roughness in various cutting conditions to attain finest possible surface with minimum tool wear. Turning experiments performed under dry orthogonal cutting of Al6061 using carbide CVD tri-phase coated inserts with constant depth of cut, various cutting speeds and feed rates. Insert’s flank and rake faces analyzed to assess wear mechanisms. Additionally Scanning electron microscope (SEM) employed to clarify different types of wear. Surface integrity and effect of built up edge in deviating surface roughness were studied in each cutting condition. Additionally results of experiments demonstrated that built up edge took over cutting edge and with sacrificing surface roughness, tool life increased by decreasing pace of abrasive wear propagation on flank face. According to these experiments the main reasons of flank wear were abrasive and adhesion of aluminum on tool face.