Abstract
Transfer of radioactive material from a cutting tool to the chips produced in facing the end of a steel tube is used as a means of measuring tool-wear rate. The lathe is operated at commercial feeds and speeds. This technique permits accurate tool-wear evaluation with very short machining time and a consequent small consumption of stock. Protection of personnel against radiation requires simple precautions. Evaluation of a cutting oil may require consideration of the roughness of the cut surface or the cutting temperature in addition to the tool-wear rate. The properties of the material cut influence the type of tool wear experienced and may affect the choice of variables which must be considered in addition to tool-wear rate. Results for typical compound and mineral oils in the machining of both 1015 and 1045 steels are reported.
