Grinding damage mechanisms and wear mechanisms of the new cermet micro-milling cutters

To improve the tool wear during micro-milling Ti-6Al-4V, Ti(C0.7N0.3)-based cermet was used as the cutting tool material, and its grinding damage mechanisms and wear mechanisms were investigated. The structures of the cermet micro-milling cutters were designed and optimized using a 3D milling simulation model. The grinding force model was proposed to adjust grinding parameters. The grinding damage mechanism of the cutting edge was mainly the brittle removal mechanism, while the grinding damage mechanism of the helix flute included the plastic removal mechanism. The wear morphology of the cermet micro-milling cutters was flank wear, its wear mechanism was mainly adhesive wear, and no tip fracture occurred. The cermet micro-milling cutters had a better cutting performance than the WC micro-milling cutters.