Influence of laser texturing parameters on the surface characteristics and cutting performance of cemented carbide tools

Abstract

Surface texturing significantly improves tool performance, while laser texturing is emerging as a preferred technique among texturing methods because of its cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience. A systematic investigation was conducted on the effects of nanosecond laser texturing process parameters on the surface characteristics of cemented carbides, as well as the effects of the rake face texture on the cutting performance. The results demonstrated that the region near the texture exhibited severe oxidation behavior and a decrease in the microhardness. The texture depth increased with both the laser power and scanning number, whereas the texture width tended to increase but then decreased. The excessive pulse frequency and scanning speed prevent the nanosecond laser from ablating a linear texture. A laser power of 8 W, a pulse frequency of 20 kHz, a scanning speed of 800 mm/s, and a scanning number of 10 are suitable nanosecond laser texturing process parameters. Under wet cutting conditions, surface texturing reduces tool wear by 14.5 % and workpiece surface roughness by 30 %. This study provides a significant basis for applying nanosecond lasers to tool surface texturing.