Identification of a friction model at tool/chip/workpiece interfaces in dry machining of AISI4142 treated steels

The characterization of frictional phenomena at the tool-chip-workpiece interface remains an issue. This paper aims to identify a friction model able to describe the friction coefficient at this interface during the dry cutting of a AISI4142 treated steel with TiN coated carbide tools. A new tribometer has been designed in order to reach relevant values of pressures, temperatures and sliding velocities. This set-up is based on a modified pin-on-ring system. Additionally a numerical model simulating the frictional test has been associated in order to identify local phenomena around the spherical pin, from the standard macroscopic data provided by the experimental system. A range of cutting speeds and pressures has been investigated. It has been shown that the friction coefficient is mainly dependant on the sliding velocity, whereas the pressure has a secondary importance. Moreover a new key parameter has been revealed, i.e. the average local sliding velocity at the contact. Finally a new friction model has been identified based on this local sliding velocity. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.