Tribological Performance of Microhole-Textured Carbide Tool Filled with CaF2

Abstract

To enhance the friction and wear performance of cemented carbide, textured microholes were machined on micro Electron Discharge Machining (EDM) on the tool rake face, and Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) powders were burnished into the microholes. The friction and wear characteristics of the microhole-textured tool filled with CaF2 were investigated using sliding friction tests and dry cutting tests. Results exhibited that the working temperature could affect the tribological performance of the microhole-textured tool filled with CaF2 due to the temperature-sensitive nature of CaF2. There is no obvious lubrication effect for the textured tool filled with CaF2 at room temperature, while it was shown to be more effective in improving tribological property at a cutting speed of higher than 100 m/min with a corresponding to cutting temperature of 450 °C. The possible mechanisms for the microhole-textured tool filled with CaF2 were discussed and established.