Analysis of Carbide Tool Wear of EN38 Steel
C. H. Achebe
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
J. L. Chukwuneke *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
T. D. Otobo
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
P. S. Aguh
Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research work analyzed carbide tool wear of the single point cutting tool used in the turning operation of EN38 steel. Sixteen experiments were conducted, to determine how feed rate, depth of cut and spindle speed of the tool, made of tungsten carbide, caused tool wear at varying machining parameters. Feed rate of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0, rev/min and depth of cut of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, mm and Spindle speed 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, rpm, were considered. Temperature and weight loss were equally measured during the experimental processes with a constant time of 15munites. With the data obtained, various graphs were plotted to show the variation of feed rate, weight loss, depth of cut, spindle speed and temperature. Regression analysis using partial least square method was used to determine the regression coefficient of temperature and weight loss. The probability value of 0.004 and optimal R-square value of 0.9957 were consequently obtained from the regression analysis. It was observed that temperature increase and weight loss depend on feed rate, spindle speed and depth of cut and also that an increase in feed rate, spindle speed and axial depth of cut had a significant effect on tool wear, revealing that the alpha value of 0.05 is greater than the probability value of 0.004 from the regression analysis.
Keywords: Carbide, tool wear, EN38 steel, feed rate, depth of cut, spindle speed, temperature, coolant