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Improvement in performance of cryogenically treated tungsten carbide tools in face milling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

ABSTRACT Cryogenic treatment process is seen as a supplement to heat treatment process, as it is able to instate comparative performance characteristics to workparts, as seen in the case of heat treatment processes, without any instability and dimensional inaccuracies. Among several domains of its successful implementation, one of the effective fields is in cutting tool life enhancement. Cryogenic treatment of cutting tools results in its improved microstructural stability, leading to reduced wear, and thus increased tool life. The present work describes an experimental study on the cryogenic treatment of tungsten carbide (WC) tools used in face milling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The results are presented in terms of tool wear, surface finish, tool vibrations and cutting forces, and compared with those of untreated tools. The results show a significant reduction in tool wear, improved surface finish quality, reduced tool vibrations as well as cutting forces for cryogenically treated tools in comparison to plain WC tools. This is attributed to improved microstructure of cryogenically treated WC inserts, which exhibited the presence of stable η-phase carbides distributed uniformly throughout the cermet matrix, densification of cobalt binder as well as refinement of hard carbide phase, which was earlier missing in the case of untreated carbide tools.