Abstract
Analytical results of early fracture and tool life based on fracture mechanics were compared with experimental results in interrupted cutting. The stress intensity factor was calculated by a finite element method using a cutting tool model with an appropriately introduced crack. Calculated values of stress intensity factor, at which the early fracture occurred, was made a comparison with the fracture toughness of tungsten carbide tools and ceramic tool. The tool life of tungsten carbide P 20 was also calculated using the analytical method proposed in the previous report, and the calculated values were found to be consistent with experimental results. The cutting tool performance for the early fracture and the tool life increases in the main with increasing the fracture toughness. These comparisons suggest that the brittle failure of cutting tools can be analytically estimated by the application of the fracture mechanics concept.
