Competitive gray cast iron for sustainable development

Important results from the project

The project intends to clarify the mechanisms of ageing and the relationship to machinability. The aging effects are obvious. Although the underlying mechanisms of aging are unclear, the results show that the effects of low machinability can be managed by adapting cutting data in such a way that brittle process behaviour is obtained, resulting in a reduced tool wear. Consistently, it can be noted that this brittle cutting behaviour can be realized by increased cutting speed. Furthermore, the project has shown that machinability can be assessed by sound analysis (Machine Learning).

Expected long term effects

The results: 1) Effect of ageing exist and can be proved. Its basic mechanisms are still not clear. 2) Materials with good machinability create an in situ protective layer on the cutting tool (TPL). 3) Materials with low machinability do not provide layers on the cutting tool. 4) Materials with low machinability ability is managed by creating a brittle material behavior during machining through increased cutting speed. 5) The machinability level is an interactive effect between aging time, cooling, trace element and selected cutting data. The results can be industrially implemented.

Approach and implementation

The project has initially followed the plan. During Stage II, it was found that certain parts of the formulated hypothesis did not work a modification became necessary. Stage II continued in part in a new track based on managing low machinability instead of solving the underlying problems that create it. This work worked well and was independently verified by one of the parties during Stage III. The two academic groups have complemented each other well with their respective competencies. It can be noted that the complexity of research issues has been underestimated by all participants.