Machinability of Nodular Cast Irons: Part I—Tool Forces and Flank Adhesion

Abstract

Three grades of nodular cast iron (60, 80, and 100) were tested to determine the cutting and feed forces required to machine the materials, to determine the performance of several grades of carbide and oxide cutting tools, and to investigate the flank adhesion phenomenon. Cutting characteristics for grade 80 and grade 100 were found to be the same as for high-strength gray cast irons with similar Bhn values. Flank adhesion, with accompanying sharp increases in cutting force values, was encountered only when grade 60 was machined with carbide tools. An attempt was made to correlate tool composition and flank adhesion.