AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON WEAR ASPECTS OF TAPPING OPERATION ON HARDENED STEELS

Tapping is one of the most intensively used operations for internal threads with diameters below about 15 mm. When a tap fails, the workpiece has a significant added value. The present work investigates some aspects of wear and performance when solid carbide coated taps M10 × 1.5 cut hardened AISI H13 and AISI D2. The results indicated that it was possible to make threads on hardened AISI D2, although the number of holes was essentially low and tool breakage was often. Threads on hardened AISI H13 was possible with reasonably low tool wear. Cutting surface presented some indication of small flaws due to the adhered material on the taps.