Cutting performance and machining economy of the hard cutting tools in clean cutting of hardened H13 steel

The problems of tool wear and machining economy are prominent in hard cutting process. Clean cutting technology can effectively improve the cutting environment. The cutting performance of coated tools and PCBN tools is investigated in clean hard cutting of H13 steel (55 ± 1 HRC) under dry, cold air, and cryogenic liquid nitrogen conditions. The machining economics are also analyzed to investigate the feasibility of improving tool life through clean cutting technology. From the perspective of machining economy, the machining cost of cold air cutting is lower than that of dry cutting and liquid nitrogen cutting. The coated tool is suitable for cutting under cryogenic liquid nitrogen condition. Compared with dry cutting, the coated tool life is increased by 55.6% at cryogenic liquid nitrogen condition. PCBN tools are prone to chipping at cryogenic temperature, resulting in early failure. PCBN tools achieve the longest tool life in cold air cutting.