Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Tool Steels for Wood-Processing Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The stochastic nature of tool wear during wood machining, owing to the dynamic properties of the biological material and its dependence on various factors, has raised significant industrial and research concerns in recent years. Explicitly, the tool wear is a product of the interaction between wood properties (such as hardness, density, and contamination level) and machining parameters (such as cutting speed, feed rate, and rake angle) alongside ambient conditions (such as temperature and humidity). The objective of this review paper is to provide an overview of recent advancements in the field of wood machining. To begin with, it highlights the important role of wood properties and ambient conditions influencing tool wear. Furthermore, the paper examines the various mechanisms involved in the wood-machining process and discusses their cost implications from an industrial perspective. It also covers technological advancements in the characterization of tool wear and explores the relationship between this parameter and other machining variables. It provides critical and analytical discussions on various methods for enhancing tool wear, including heat treatment, cryogenic treatment, thermochemical treatment, coating deposition, and hybrid treatments. Additionally, the paper incorporates statistical analysis to achieve two objectives. Firstly, it aims to identify the most significant wood property that affects tool wear and establish the correlation between this parameter and wood properties. Secondly, it investigates the effect of heat treatment parameters and carbide characteristics on tool wear as well as their correlation. Lastly, the review provides recommendations based on relevant literature for prospective researchers and industrial counterparts in the field. These recommendations aim to guide further exploration and practical applications in the subject matter.