Grain Size and Orientation Effects When Microcutting AISI 1045 Steel

Microstructure has a significant effect on microscale cutting. This paper investigates the effect of grain size and orientation during microcutting of AISI 1045 steel. From experimental and finite element (FE) modeling observations, classification of the cutting scale is dependent upon the grain size of the workpiece material. Surface dimple size can be reduced provided there is a reduction in grain size and orientation of grain boundaries are not parallel to the shear plane during microcutting. Incorporating microstructures into a FE cutting model yields a more accurate reflection of the workpiece material's stress-strain behaviour in the primary shear zone.