Abstract

This study was carried out on medium carbon steel subjected to various form of heat treatment operations by assessing the temperature distribution during the machining process. The model of oblique band heat source, moving in the direction of cutting in an infinite medium with an appropriate image heat source was used in this investigation. The model analysis was carried out separately on the chip, the tool and the work material to numerically determine the temperature distribution during machining process using finite element method with nodal grids. Johnson-Cook model was used to determine the work materials flow stress upon which the material properties were determined. Stress/strain tests were conducted on the specimens to determine the materials’ constant parameters which were used as the input parameters to the modeling equation written in Visual Basic 6.0. The optimum shear angle of 20° was used for the machining process and the frictional characteristics were also determined. The temperature along the shear plane AB was determined with reference to coordinate axis within the tool, workpiece and the chip using the model. The results which compare favorably with other results from literatures, provide basis for the design of machining variables for optimum and quality machined products which can also be applied in the computer programming of NC machine for precision machining

Key words: machining, cutting tool, heat treatment, “as received”, normalized, annealed, tempered, hardened, simulated, profile.