Cutting forces and cutting quality in the up-milling of solid wood using ceramic cutting tools

Although many studies have focused on the cutting performance of ceramic blades in processing different materials, few have reported on their application in wood processing. Thus, it is necessary to explore the cutting performance of ceramic tools in solid wood machining. The aims of this paper were to evaluate the cutting performance of Al2O3 and Si3N4 ceramic tools in the process of machining Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) by means of analysing cutting force and surface roughness and to provide guidelines for factories for applying ceramic tools in the manufacture of solid wood furniture. Up-milling tests were conducted for each combination of cutting speed, tool material, and workpiece material, and each combination was replicated five times. Results showed that (1) cutting force and surface roughness decreased with increase of cutting speed and (2) cutting force and surface roughness resulting from using Al2O3 ceramic cutting tools were larger than those of Si3N4 ceramic cutting tools, especially when cutting Manchurian ash with its extractives. Overall, ceramic tools can be used in high-speed cutting of solid wood. Compared with Al2O3 ceramic cutting tools, Si3N4 ceramic cutting tools are more suitable for cutting solid wood, especially those with extractives. Si3N4 ceramic tools provided not only chemical stability, but improved final product quality.