Effect of the lubrication-cooling technique, insert technology and machine bed material on the workpart surface finish and tool wear in finish turning of AISI 420B

The paper is focussed on the effects produced by cutting operations on workpiece surface finish and tool wear. To this end, finish turning of AISI 420B stainless-steel was carried out under wet, minimum quantity of lubricant and dry cutting conditions, using both conventional and wiper technology inserts, on turning centres equipped with beds made in polymer concrete and cast iron. The workpiece surface finish and tool wear versus cutting volume were measured, and the results analysed and discussed in detail. The most significant results were: (i) the lubrication-cooling technique does not significantly affect the tool wear, whilst wet cutting produces the worst surface finish, (ii) the wiper inserts allow obtaining of the best surface finish, and (iii) the use of polymer concrete bed leads to an improved behaviour in terms of tool wear and surface roughness.