The effect of the multi-layer surface coating of carbide inserts on the cutting forces in turning operations

In this paper, the effects of the multi-layer hard surface coating of cutting tools on the cutting forces in steel turning are presented and discussed, based on an experimental investigation with different commercially available carbide inserts and tool geometries over a range of cutting conditions. The cutting forces when turning with surface coated carbide inserts are assessed and compared qualitatively and quantitatively with those for uncoated tools. It is shown that hard surface coatings reduce the cutting forces, although the reduction is marginal under lighter cutting conditions. The cutting force characteristics for surface coated tools are also discussed and shown to have similar trends to those of uncoated tools.