Experimental study on elements diffusion of carbide tool rake face in turning stainless steel

Affected by high temperature and pressure during the process of cutting stainless steel, the affinity element diffusion of tool-chips leads to the appearance of adhesion on the rake face, which eventually results in adhesion failure of the tool. In this study, we determined the formation of tool-chip adhesion during the cutting process using a cutting test; and put forward an experimental scheme of the element diffusion for clamped and welded specimens of the tool and workpiece. Fick's second law was used to develop a theoretical model of element diffusion to analyze the effect of tool-chip adhesion on the Fe and W element diffusion coefficient of Fe and W. The hardness of the tool surface was measured and analyzed after the diffusion experiment. The results showed that the tool-chip adhesion on the rake face of the tool was similar to pressure diffusion welding and that the tool-chip adhesion on the rake face directly affected the diffusion concentration of W, but had little effect on the diffusion concentration of Fe. In addition, the diffusion coefficient of Fe or W in the tool-chip adhesion is always greater for stick-welding than for non-stick-welding. The research results are of great significance for improving the cutting performance and tool life.