Numerical chip formation analysis during high-pressure cooling in metal machining

Most metal turning processes utilize cutting fluids. Despite extensive experimental and analytical studies, the mechanisms of chip formation under consideration of a cutting fluid are still not entirely understood. Due to fluid-structure interaction, simulating wet cutting processes for an extended duration has not been feasible. The primary objective of this study is to utilize a simulation approach to provide additional information about the wet chip formation process in contrast to measurement methods, with a view to drawing conclusions. As methodology the Finite-Pointset-Method (FPM) is employed to simulate the chip formation process for dry, flood and specifically high-pressure cooling conditions during machining of carbon steel C45 as well as nickel-based alloy Inconel 718. Due to the increased relative velocity between workpiece and cutting fluid with the use of high-pressure cooling compared to flood cooling, numerical stability issues are present. Initially, the modeling approach to handle high-pressure cooling conditions is described and validated by an impact test. Subsequently the cutting simulation model is presented in detail and verified by measurements. The simulation results of stress, temperature and plastic strain rate fields are used to elucidate the observed discrepancies between various cutting fluid strategies in detail. These findings suggest explanations for the high efficiency of high-pressure cooling such as a decline of hydrostatic stresses or activation of ductile damaging.