Machining characteristics of cutting Inconel718 with carbide tool

The nickel-based alloy Inconel718 has poor machinability in machining process. In this paper, the cutting deformation characteristics of material in cutting zone and tool wear features under different cutting speeds were studied. The physical and chemical phenomena in cutting process and their effects on tool wear were further analysed. At low cutting speed, the continual generation and falling off of BUE made the cutting process unstable and led to tool chipping. At medium cutting speed, tribo-chemical reaction occurred at tool-chip interface. These new generated and soft metallic oxides attaching to tool surface played a role of boundary lubrication layer. It can reduce the adhesion between tool and chip, thereby protecting the cutting tool. At high cutting speed, inhomogeneous deformation of materials in cutting zone resulted in alternating stress, which led to crack in tool subsurface and made tool material fall off in the form of lamella.