The influence of thermal conductivity on segmented chip formation

A two-dimensional finite element model of the machining process is presented. After a short discussion of the modelling technique and the remeshing algorithm used, the influence of thermal conductivity on the chip segmentation process is studied. Increasing thermal conductivity leads to a decreasing degree of segmentation and to an increase in the cutting force. The influence of the thermal conductivity on the width of the shear bands and on maximum temperatures is also discussed.