The effect of work-hardening on the mechanics of cutting in simulated abrasive processes

Abstract The mechanics of abrasive cutting, derived from a force analysis at the abrasive particle/workpiece interface for lead workpieces, has been extended to include fully work-hardened metals and alloys. The results obtained using annealed materials are also discussed. It is shown that the critical attack angle of the cutting face at which a chip is first cut is determined primarily by the coefficient of friction between the contacting surfaces, whilst the increase in the force opposing the motion of an abrasive particle due to prior deformation of the workpiece is primarily due to the increase in hardness.