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In this paper, evidence of tribochemical reactions of a cutting-edge material during cutting of secondary wood products (SWP) is reported. The heat of frictional contact of the cutting edge with material of the SWP is a source of rapidly increasing temperature in the cutting zone. Once the cutting edge reaches a certain level of wear, the temperatures generated are high enough to initiate thermal decomposition of the basic components of the material being cut. Applying Quantum Chemical (QC) methods, with semiempirical results verified using Density Functional Theory (DFT), it was determined that some products of thermal degradation of the principal components of SWP stabilize cobalt, from the cobalt binder in cemented carbide tool material, in an oxidized state via octahedral hydroxy organometallic complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]