Effect of Cutting Tool Geometry on Morphology of flank Wear Land in Turning of Low Carbon Steels

The amount of flank wear is often used as the criterion for tool life assessment because it influences work material surface roughness and accuracy. In this study, the influence of cutting tool geometry (angles) on morphology of flank wear land during turning of low carbon steel is investigated by using image processing techniques and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The analysis was based on a second order model in which the flank wear (area and shape factors) is expressed as a function of three cutting tool geometry parameters (relief angle, rake angle and cutting edge angle) and the effect of tool geometry parameters and their interactive effect on flank wear land morphology have been investigated. It is found that the area and shape factors of flank wear land are highly affected by the cutting tool geometry parameters considered in the present study.