Chapter 22, Problem 1RQ

For metal-cutting tools, what is the most important material property (i.e., the most critical characteristic)? Why?

To determine

The most important material property for metal cutting tool.

The reason for being important.

Explanation of Solution

Hardness is the most essential material property for metal cutting tools. The cutting tools are used to machine different kinds of materials like silicon carbide, graphene, and many more, so the cutting tools must have the ability to withstand early failure and rapid wearing, which can only be achieved when the cutting tool is hard.

The most common tool materials are Tool steel, High-speed steel, and Titanium nitride coated high-speed steel. The tool is the alloy of carbon steel and medium alloy steel. It is having high hardness and good strength, but they lose their hardness at temperature $400°\text{F}$ . High-speed steel is superior then the tool steel because it withstands above the temperature $1100°\text{F}$ . The high-speed steel is fabricated by three methods casting, wrought, and powder metallurgy processes. Titanium nitride coated high-speed steel increases the cutting speed and having good hardness and toughness property. So the hardness is the important characteristic of the metal cutting tool.