Cryogenic treatment of tungsten carbide reduces tool wear when machining medium density fiberboard.

Abstract

A cryogenic treatment (-306°F) was applied to C2 tungsten carbide (WC -6% Co) and compared with untreated carbide to determine if tool wear could be reduced during turning tests with medium density fiberboard (MDF). Both the tool force data and observation of the cutting edges indicate that tool wear was reduced. The cryogenic treatment appeared to have an effect upon the cobalt binder by changing phase or crystal structure so that more cobalt binder was retained during cutting.