Abstract
In this study, the failure process of a diamond-coated ball end mill was investigated. For a cutting tool, a two-flute ball end mill coated by a multi diamond layer with a total thickness of 20μm was used. For work specimens, four types of WC-Co blanks with different WC particle diameters and Co contents were used. Through cutting experiments, changes in cutting forces were monitored. In addition, microscope images of flank and rake faces were also obtained every scheduled cutting volume. From experiments, it was found that the failure undergoes two steps of development. Furthermore, by comparison between the results in different work specimens, it was found that the larger WC particle diameter and the lower Co content, the higher wear rate of diamond coating on the flank face.
