Finite element analysis and wear mechanism of B4C–TiB2 ceramic tools in turning AISI 4340 workpieces.

In this study, B 4 C–TiB 2 composite ceramics with different TiB 2 contents sintered via hot pressing are processed into ceramic tools to turn AISI 4340 workpieces. Finite element analysis using the Deform-3D software is conducted to examine the effects of the cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on the main cutting force and tool temperature of the B 4 C–TiB 2 ceramic tools. The wear mechanism is investigated through the microstructural analysis of the wear profile obtained after the turning experiments. Simulation results show that the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool demonstrates the best cutting performance. The optimal cutting parameters for the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool are a cutting speed of 300 m/min, depth of cut of 0.3 mm, and feed rate of 0.1 mm/r. The turning experiments reveal that the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool has a longer tool life than a commercially available YD tungsten carbide tool. The main wear forms of the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool are craters, chipping, and flank wear, and the wear mechanism can be attributed mainly to abrasive wear, adhesive wear, oxidative wear, and diffusion wear. This work can lay a theoretical foundation for the practical application of B 4 C–TiB 2 ceramic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]