Dry cutting processes effect increased economic efficiency and at the same
time fulfil ecological requirements. However, elimination of coolants invol
ves absence of their positive influences on the metal cutting process such
as lubrication, heat dissipation and chip evacuation. This leads to high ad
hesive, abrasive and tribo-chemical tool wear. Innovative oxide coatings me
et the sophisticated demands of dry cutting applications such as high wear
resistance and the reduction of friction, which minimises the thermal load.
The oxide materials provide a high resistance against adhesive wear, due t
o the high binding energy. Furthermore, the friction coefficient can be dec
reasing with increasing temperature, and a high hardness even at elevated t
emperatures is provided. This paper shows the performance of the deposited
Al2O3 and ZrO2 coatings in dry drilling of high strength spheroidal graphit
e cast iron (SGI70). Influences of the coating composition on the tool wear
behaviour, the cutting forces and the chip flow are highlighted. Additiona
lly the coatings are evaluated by determination of the absolute temperature
on the cutting edge of the drilling tool. Therefore, a suitable measuring
technique was developed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
.