Aluminum Milling Performance of DLC-Coated Tools Prepared by Using the Vacuum Arc Discharge Method

摘要

This work discusses the impact of tribological properties of diamond-like carbon film coating (DLC) on cutting performance. DLC is a nonhydrogenated amorphous carbon film, which was prepared by using a vacuum arc discharge with a graphite cathode. DLC coatings were evaluated in a pin-on-disk test as well as in aluminum alloy machining. DLC had a low friction coefficient (0.1) against aluminum alloy and an excellent anti-adhering property. The results showed that DLC-coated cemented carbide tools can be used to reduce adhesion between a tool and a workpiece, and to form a built-up edge. The finite element method (FEM) simulation at the tool-chip interface was investigated in order to analyze the cutting process and to compare the experimental evidence. In particular, the comparison was carried out taking into account the chip shapes and cutting force. The FEM simulation of a chip formation process showed rough agreement with the experiments, and this enabled the explanation of the phenomenon of the cutting process. DLC coated tools were found to be useful for dry machining of the aluminum alloys compared to uncoated cemented carbide tools.