Diamond Turning of Oxygen-Free Copper for Mirrors

Abstract

This paper deals with machining tests, regarding oxygen-free copper (OFC) as one of the materials suitable for diamond turning. The machining tests were carried out to study the optimal cutting conditions for OFC, the selection of a suitable high-purity OFC material for mirrors and the mirror-finishing properties of the suitable OFC material over long cutting distances. The test results show the following. ( 1 ) The optimal cutting conditions are 9-17μm/rev for the feed rate and 15-20μm for the depth of cut. ( 2 ) The raw material produced by the processes of hot rolling, cold rolling and heat treatment is the most suitable with respect to the surface integrity. ( 3 ) The surface roughness is stable in the cutting distance range of 500 km. As for tool wear, crater wear, in particular, is remarkably large, while flank wear is negligible.