Effects of Cutting Parameters on Tool Wear and Thrust Force in Drilling Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) Alloys Using Coated and Uncoated Carbide Tools

Abstract

The difficulties of machining nickel-titanium alloys are due to their high ductility and super-elasticity, strong strain-hardening, and excellent wear resistance. These characteristics lead to poor chip breakability, high cutting forces, rapid and aggressive tool-wear, as well as excessive burr formation during mechanical machining processes. The present study addresses these issues by evaluating the effects of drilling parameters and drill bit coatings on the growth of tool wear and development of the drilling thrust force. The findings from this research indicate that the TiAlN coated carbide drill was found to significantly improve the wear resistance of the cutting tool. Likewise, the results of thrust force development are consistent with the trends of tool wear growth for all of the tested carbide drills.