Correlation between edge radius of the cBN cutting tool and surface quality in hard turning

cBN cutting tools with superior mechanical properties are widely used in machining various hard materials. The microgeometry of cBN cutting tools, such as the edge radius, has great influence on the surface quality of components and tool life. For optimized tool geometry, it is crucial to understand the influence of the cBN cutting tool microgeometry on the machined surface quality. In this study, the attempt has been made to investigate the correlation between the cutting tool edge radius and surface quality in terms of the surface roughness and subsurface deformation through a FE simulation and experiment. Machining tests under different machining conditions were also conducted and the surface roughness and subsurface deformation were measured. Surface roughness and subsurface deformation were produced by the cutting tools with different edge radii under various cutting parameters. Both results from the FE simulation and machining tests confirmed that there was a significant influence on the surface quality in terms of both the surface roughness and subsurface quality from the edge radius. There is a critical edge radius ofcBN tools in hard turning in terms of surface quality generated.