Influence of Cutting Speed on Flank Temperature during Face Milling of Magnesium Alloy

Chip ignition is one of the important problems in cutting magnesium alloy due to cutting temperature rise, which is mainly caused by the increase of cutting speed. In this article, we measured the mean flank temperature through mounting two K-type thermocouples in workpiece of AM50A magnesium alloy. Effect of cutting speed on the temperature rise of tool flank was analyzed. The results show that the temperature first increases and then decreases as the cutting speed increases. The chip ignition appears when the mean flank temperature rise is about 3 degrees C in cutting magnesium alloy at ambient temperature. However, the ignition cannot be observed with further increase in temperature. The results can reasonably be used to predict and avoid the occurrence of chip ignition.