Effect of electropulses on the machinability of a C45E steel

Abstract

This article compares the machinability of a C45E (AISI/SAE 
1045) steel type under two different manufacturing processes: 
conventional machining and pulsed current assisted machining. 
The testing procedure consisted on the dry turning, using a 
coated carbide cutting tool (HM) and high-speed steel (HSS) 
cutting tools, under two different spindle speeds. In this study 
cutting tool life is evaluated in function of cutting speed for 
both machining conditions and both cutting tools. Results show 
variation on flank wear depending on the tool used and spindle 
speed, showing an increase in machinability when using the 
HM tool with the electropulse assisted turning at low spindle 
speed. Additionally, changes in chip type are found when 
assisting the process with electropulses. Statistically significant 
variations in chip dimensions and chip ratio are present, 
evidencing the differences in the phenomena affecting shear 
strain. Surface roughness, for its part, is improved when turning 
with the assistance of electropulses