Simulation of the influence of cutting speed and feed rate on tool life in hard turning of AISI 4140 steel

Tool life performances of Al₂O₃+TiC and TiN+AlCrN tool inserts were investigated experimentally under different cutting conditions in turning AISI 4140 steel. The tool life model is defined in accordance with a maximum surface roughness of 0.8 μm for the tool life criterion. The relationships between machining factors (i.e., cutting speed and feed rate) and tool life were obtained by Taylor’s formular. The sensitivity of cutting speed and feed rate to tool life was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that turning with high cutting speeds and feed rates decreased the tool life of both inserts. At different cutting speeds and feed rates, Al₂O₃+TiC exhibited better tool life performance than TiN+AlCrN. In addition, the simulation results indicated the average tool life of Al₂O₃+TiC was approximately 40% greater than that of TiN+AlCrN by varying cutting speeds below and above the cutting speed of 220 m/min while keeping the feed rate constant at 0.06 mm/rev. Similarly, when keeping the cutting speed constant at 220 m/min, the average tool life of Al₂O₃+TiC was approximately 45% greater than that of TiN+AlCrN by varying feed rates below and above the feed rate of 0.06 mm/rev. Variations of tool life values by varying cutting speeds were more sensitive than those by varying feed rates for both tool inserts.