Cryogenic Treatment to Minimize Flank Wear of AISI M2 HSS Tools

Abstract

Cryogenic treatment has been acknowledged by some as means of extending tool life of many cutting tool materials, thus improving productivity significantly. However real mechanisms which guarantee better tool performance are still dubious. This implies the need of further investigations in order to control the technique more significantly. Studies on cryogenically treated HSS tools show micro structural changes in material that can influence tool lives. However little research has been done on other cutting tool materials. Cryogenic treatment of carbides has yet to be extensively studied. This work aims to study the effect of cryogenic treatment on AISI M2 HSS cutting tools. The tools were cryo-treated for 24 hours. The flank wear tests and hardness tests were conducted. In the process of ascertaining these findings, it was shown in this study that in flank wear tests, cryogenically treated tool showed an increase in tool life. Micro structural analysis and SEM analysis were done to support the results obtained.