The Effect of Workpiece Hardness and Cutting Speed on the Machinability of AISI H13 Hot Work Die Steel When Using PCBN Tooling

Abstract When machining hardened steel (≥ 45 HRC) with polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tooling, the cutting speeds used produce high temperatures in the primary shear zone, which are sufficient to plasticise the workpiece. The paper initially reviews the effect of workpiece hardness and cutting speed on chip formation, workpiece surface integrity and cutting forces. Equations are detailed for determining the primary …