Experimental investigation on the machinability of hardened AISI H13 hot work tool steel with ceramic inserts

Manufacturers find the hot work tool steels difficult to make new surfaces on or machine it. The root cause of the problem is that this tool material is heat treated and becomes hard. During its applications, this tool damages on processes, replacing it with new material is so expensive and modifying it is also very difficult as well, as it causes repetitive tool wear. This paper experimentally studies how to enhance the machining processes of the most popular tool steel, the AISI H13 hot work tool steel, and suggests the proper machining conditions and parameters for industrial applications. So, the machinability of hardened AISIH13 hot work tool steel using ceramic inserts was studied. Based on several trials that had made prior to the experiments and the literature reviews, the cutting tool material, machining conditions and parameters have defined. A total 27 trials were done under three different condition; dry, wet and by adding additives. Different cutting speeds (100,150,200m/min), feed rates (0.03, 0.06, 0.09mm/rev), and a constant depth of cut (0.2mm) were selected. The assessments had equated against the machining forces and temperatures, using 12 pieces of PVD coated ceramic type turning insert-cutting tools. The results of experimental investigation showed that the wet machining conditions have substantial effects across all the machining standards. It has shown that the machining temperature reduced tremendously during the both cases of wet machining conditions. Thus, the wet machining by adding additives demonstrated enhanced machining conditions at the medium feed rates and lower cutting speeds by reducing the cutting force, which is threat to the tool life. Experiments under dry conditions did not show any beneficial performance to the other conditions. Keywords: Tool wear, cutting forces, cutting temperature, cutting fluids, AISI H13 hot work tool steel.