Machinability of C45 steel with deep cryogenic treated tungsten carbide cutting tool inserts

In the present investigation, coated tungsten carbide ISO P-30 turning tool inserts were subjected to deep cryogenic treatment (-176 degrees C). Machining studies were conducted on C45 workpiece using both untreated and deep cryogenic treated tungsten carbide cutting tool inserts. The machinability of the C45 steel workpiece is evaluated in terms of flank wear of the cutting tool inserts, main cutting force and surface finish of the machined workpieces. The flank wear of deep cryogenic treated carbide tools is lower than that of untreated carbide tools on machining of C45 steel. The cutting force during machining of C45 steel is lower with the deep cryogenic treated carbide tools when compared with the untreated carbide tools. The surface finish produced on machining the C45 steel workpiece is better with the deep cryogenic treated carbide tools than when compared with the untreated carbide tools. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.