TOOL-LIFE RELIABILITY OF CERMET INSERTS IN MILLING TESTS

Seven commercial cermet inserts of similar ISO grades (P05-40) were us ed in face milling operations, in the dry cutting of a carbon steel (A ISI-SAE 1045). All of the inserts were produced by different tool manu facturers, from Europe, USA and Japan. The inserts were first characte risted by their material composition, mechanical properties and cuttin g-edge preparation. Then they were used in various cutting tests. Expe rimental results are presented and discussed in terms of an insert's r esistance to wear, to fracture mechanisms and to mechanical impact. An understanding of the different behaviour of the inserts is approached , relating cutting performance to material composition and mechanical properties. Some economical issues are also dealt with, based on a com parison of cost-performance ratios. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.