Interrelation of Surface Temperature and Tribological Characteristics of a Protective Coating on a Tool

Abstract

The study investigates the thermal and tribological characteristics of an uncoated P10 carbide tool and one coated with titanium carbide. Turning tests were conducted on AISI 1020 steel at four spindle speeds (80, 315, 500, and 800 rpm), two feed rates (0.2 and 0.5 mm/rev), and two cut depths (0.5 and 0.7 mm). The temperature change at the tool–workpiece interface, flank wear width, lifetime of tools, and roughness of the machined surface were determined. It is shown that the TiC coating significantly reduces temperature rise and flank wear during cutting. The lifetime of coated tools is about four times longer compared to uncoated tools. Coated tools also showed improved surface quality.