Additive surface texturing of cutting tools using pulsed laser implantation with hard ceramic particles

In recent years surface texturing of the cutting tools has proved to improve tribological characteristics at tool/chip and tool/workpiece interface and help to reduce cutting and feed forces as well as tool wear. Most, if not all, of the studies have focused on subtractively made textures whereby the material is removed from the surface. This study investigates the performance of additively made surface structures whereby hard ceramic particles are dispersed in the form of dome shaped textures on the surface of the cutting tools using solid state millisecond pulsed laser (pulsed laser implantation). Dry cutting tests were performed on ductile cast iron. The results show a greater reduction of process forces with implantation of flank face as compared to rake face. Both cutting and feed forces were reduced by 10% compared to the non-structured tool. In addition, the tool life increased by a factor of 3 whereas the average flank wear reduced by as much as 80% and cutting edge rounding by up to 60%.