Improving surface wearing of tools by magnetization when cutting dry

This paper presents some experimental findings that contribute to a better understanding of the magnetic field effects on the wear resistance of cutting tools in dry cutting process. Preliminary 3D cutting tests on ferromagnetic carbon steels have shown that the use of an external magnetic field increases the tool lifetime (two to three times) in severe cutting conditions. The results of orthogonal cutting tests carried out on dry cut of magnetized ferromagnetic AISI 1045 steel using nonmagnetic carbide tools are reported in the present paper. Although the mechanisms showing the beneficial use of magnetic treatment seem to be manifold, they can be basically grouped into two categories: (i) a change in the mechanics of cutting (shear angle, shear strain and cutting ratio) and (ii) tribological surface modifications of the tool-chip contact [formation of continuously replaced built-up edge (BUE)] in the presence of magnetic field.