Quenching: An Improvement Factor of HSS Twist Drill Tool-Life When Machining C22 Steel

Abstract

The present work is a contribution in understanding the effect of quenching and tempering of C22 steel on the tool life of twist high speed steel (HSS) grade drill bits. Experimental investigation has been conducted on annealed and tempered steel according to the planning methodology (L8). The input parameters are cutting regime elements (cutting speed, feed rate and drill diameter) and the output parameter is the tool wear related to tool life. Beyond, the common behavior that suggests that when the feed rate on tool life increases the tool life increases, the most interesting phenomenon is the controversial effect of the cutting speed when drilling the steel in tempered condition. The objective of this contribution then to in make in evidence the benefit effect of quench hardening on drill tool life through exploratory chip microstructure observations.