Hard turning of an alloy steel on a machine tool with a polymer concrete bed

Finish turning of 39NiCrMo3 alloy steel in the hardened state has been widely investigated under dry, minimum quantity of lubricant and wet cutting conditions, using inserts in ceramic and PCBN materials, on turning centers equipped with polymer concrete and cast iron beds. The progress of workpart surface roughness and tool wear with cutting time has been measured and the results analysed and discussed in detail. It has been observed that dry cutting leads to the lowest values of tool wear and surface roughness, whilst the minimal quantity of lubricant technique does not provide advantages regarding to dry turning. Furthermore, the PCBN inserts are characterised by a longer tool life than the one exhibited by the ceramic inserts. Finally, the outstanding damping and high rigidity of the polymer concrete bed has a beneficial effect on both tool wear and workpiece surface finish. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.