Cutting performance and mechanism of RE carbide tools

The research of rare earth elements (RE), added into cemented carbide tools, is one of the recent developments of new types of tool materials in China. Systematic experiments about RE carbides YG8R (K30), YT14R (P20) and YW1R (M10) were made to study on the cutting performance in comparison with non-RE carbides YG8, YT14 and YW1. The cutting experiments were as follows: tool life, cutting force, tool-chip friction coefficient and interrupted machining. The action of RE on the carbide materials and the cutting mechanism of the RE carbide tools in the cutting process were verified with the aid of SEM and energy spectrum analysis. Experimental results show that the RE carbide tools have a good overall performance.