Change in Edge Radius of Cutting Tool from Surface Tension Between Solid Materials

In this study, the “surface tension defined from stress” was used to predict the change in the cutting edge radius in the tool’s initial-stage wear regime. An analysis of the “surface tension defined from the stress” between solids showed that the flow of the material and the adhesion phenomenon must occur simultaneously at the interface. From the experimental and simulation results, it was confirmed that the proposed model can be used to predict the stress distribution acting on the cutting tool and evaluate the “surface tension defined from the stress” at the tool and workpiece interface. It was also verified that the cutting-edge radius under a state of equilibrium changes based on the cutting condition. These results indicate that simply using a cutting tool with a smaller cutting-edge radius will lead to a rapid increase in the cutting-edge retreat at the beginning of the cutting. For the unmanned operation of the cutting processes, it is desirable to use a cutting tool with a cutting-edge radius under a state of equilibrium at the beginning of the cutting to improve the cutting efficiency and reduce the cutting cost.