Oxidation and wear behaviour of carbide cutting tools

The oxidation and wear behaviour of carbide cutting tools was studied by service simulation tests and the machining of cast iron was examined in an oxidising environment and the presence of a direct electric current. The oxides were investigated by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. The rate of oxidation increases with increase in current flow and the composition of the oxide depends upon the magnitude of the current. The oxide structure is affected by the amount of current.