Analytical Modelling of Temperature Distribution Using Potential Theory by Reference to Broaching of Nickel-Based Alloys

Knowledge of temperature fields and heat flow evolving during metal cutting processes is of significant importance for ensuring and predicting the product`s quality. Furthermore, this knowledge enables an improved usage of resources, such as machine tools and tool deployment. The strength of the heat sources as a result of the process and the distribution of the temperature in the material directly influence the tool wear mechanisms, wear rate, thermo-elastic deflection of the tool centre point and the amount of heat flowing into the newly generated work piece surface. Especially the latter effect is of crucial importance when it comes to safety critical components as they are employed in aero-engines. In aviation industry, the surface integrity is used as a complex quality measure summarising several aspects at the machined surface and sub-surface out of which many issues are predominantly thermal issues (e.g. temperature driven hardening of the work piece material, re-cast and white etching layers as well as residual stress profiles).