Machining of Hard Materials

This chapter presents basic knowledge on the special kind of the machining process in which a workpiece material hardened to 45–70 HRC hardness or more is machined with mixed ceramic or CBN tools. An extended comparison with finish grinding, as well with other abrasive finishing processes, is carried out. Specific cutting characteristics, including cutting forces, chip formation mechanisms and tool wear modes with relevant interface temperatures are discussed in terms of process conditions. Currently developing finite element (FE) and analytical modelling is overviewed. A complete characterization of surface integrity including geometrical features of hard-machined surfaces, along with specific microstructural alterations...