Evaluation of interfacial friction in material removal processes: the role of workpiece properties and contact geometry

In this work, the interfacial friction is investigated during a material removal test. Based on specially programmed experiments conducted on 6061 Al at 24 different conditions, it was found that the friction coefficient significantly varies in different temperature ranges. Using optical and transition electron microscopy, these variations were found to be dependent on phase changes within the workpiece crystalline structure and the amount of oxidation on the surface of the workpiece. The interfacial friction was also found to change with the geometry of the cutting tool, where larger tool wedge angles increased the shear stress in the shear plane.