Cutting Mechanism of Partially Stabilized Zirconia with a Single Point Diamond

The circular cutting with a single point diamond cutting edge, in which the depth of cut is very small and takes maximum at some point, is carried out for making clear a cutting process of partially stabilized zirconia under conditions similar to practical grinding, investigating sliding phenomenon of a diamond cutting edge, normal cutting force, groove profile, stock removal and so on. Main conclusions obtained in this study are as follows : (1) There are three different regions with depth of cut ; elastic, plastic and cutting region. (2) There are critical depths and critical normal forces at the beginning point of plastic deformation and cutting. (3) In the transitional cutting process, there are following three types of interference with maximum depth of cut ; (i) elastic region through the contact length, (ii) elastic-plastic-elastic, (iii) elastic-plastic-cutting-plastic-elastic. (4) Surface generation of a groove is performed by plastic deformation as well as brittle fracture.