Finite Element Simulation of Cutting Temperature Distribution in Coated Tools During Turning Processes

The effect of cutting temperature on mechanism of cutting process has been a fundamental issue. Cutting tool temperature has significant influences on wear behavior of cutting tool, surface finish and surface integrity during the cutting process. Advanced coating materials are appropriate to deposit on the carbide substrate to enhance the tool performance and then prolong the tool life. This paper presents the cutting temperature of coated tool based on the cutting process simulation with finite element method (FEM) simulation by using Third Wave AdvantEdge software. The influences of coating materials and coating thickness on the temperature distribution in coated cutting tools were investigated. The simulated results showed that the temperature gradually increases in the tool-chip contact area. And the temperature rapidly decreases after the tool-chip separation point. TiAlN coating showed a better thermal barrier property than other coatings at the same conditions. The cutting tool temperature of TiN coated cutting tools with different coating thickness was also investigated with FEM. The temperature distribution at the tool rake face and substrate temperature were different for various coating thicknesses.