Face Turning of Cobalt-Free Tungsten Carbide Using Nano-Polycrystalline Diamond Tool

The use of hard and brittle materials for manufacturing optical parts, such as dies and molds are required in order to extend mold life. Although, cobalt-free tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials, micro-cutting is very difficult due to its hardness and its brittleness. This paper investigates face turning of cobalt-free tungsten carbide using a nanopolycrystalline diamond [NPD] tool and Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZnDTP) fluid. Surface roughness of the cobalt-free tungsten carbide achieved was 22nmRz, which is far larger than the theoretical value. That is, traditional cutting theory does not directly apply for face turning of cobalt-free tungsten carbide using NPD tool and ZnDTP fluid.