Tool wear mechanisms of PcBN in machining Inconel 718: Analysis across multiple length scale

Recently, PcBN tooling have been successfully introduced in machining Ni-based superalloys, yet our knowledge of involved wear mechanisms remains limited. In this study, an in-depth investigation of PcBN tool degradation and related wear mechanisms when machining Inconel 718 was performed. Diffusional dissolution of cBN is an active wear mechanism. At high cutting speed oxidation of cBN becomes equally important. Apart from degradation, tool protection phenomena were also discovered. Oxidation of Inconel 718 resulted in formation of γ-Al2O3 and (Al,Cr,Ti)3O4 spinel that were deposited on the tool rake. Also on the rake, formation of (Ti,Nb,Cr)N takes place due to cBN-workpiece interaction. This creates a sandwich tool protection layer forming continuously as tool wear progresses. Such in operando protection enabled counterbalancing tool wear mechanisms and achieved high performance of PcBN in machining.