Abstract
In response to the increasing requirements for the processing quality and precision of ductile iron parts under the trend of automotive lightweighting and emission reduction, this study systematically investigated the wear behavior and cutting parameter optimization method of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) tools when machining ductile iron.By designing cutting experiments, the influence of different cutting parameters and tool materials on the service life of PcBN tools was analyzed. Based on the observation of the wear morphology throughout the tool’s life cycle, the failure evolution mechanism of PcBN tools with different compositions was revealed. With the help of microscopic characterization techniques, it was identified that abrasive wear, chemical wear, and adhesive wear are the main wear mechanisms of the tools. The results show that: Type B tools with cermet binders exhibit excellent cutting performance and a longer service life when machining ductile iron; under the optimized condition with a cutting efficiency of 15.04 cm³/min, a good balance between machining efficiency and tool life was achieved. Cutting speed, feed rate, and cutting depth have a significant impact on tool life, and there are obvious differences in the wear mechanisms of tools with different compositions. Based on the experimental data, a tool life prediction model was established through multiple linear regression. This model integrates real - time sensor data, can dynamically calculate the remaining life and health status, and achieve wear warning. This study provides theoretical and technical support for improving the efficiency and service life of PcBN tools in machining ductile iron, and points the way for the composition design of the next - generation cermet - bonded PcBN.
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All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and are presented in the main Figures and Tables).
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Ningbo Key Research and Development Programme (2023Z039), the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Project for Young Innovative Talents (2024 A-334-G), and Funded by Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department (QN2023238). The authors also thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.
Funding
This research was supported by the Ningbo Key Research and Development Programme (2023Z039), the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Project for Young Innovative Talents (2024 A-334-G), and the 2023 China Academy of Mechanical Engineering Innovation Leading Talent Innovation Team Project, and was funded by Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department, grant number QN2023238.
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P.W. and Y.J. were responsible for the conception, supervision, review, and editing of the study. X.L. was primarily responsible for literature research and organisation. H.Y. made important contributions to the implementation of the experiment. Y.Z. is responsible for the manuscript editing. All authors participated in the discussion of the results and contributed to the final draft.
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Wang, P., Li, X., Jiu, Y. et al. Cutting parameter-tool material interaction on PcBN tool wear behaviour in ductile iron machining. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-38314-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-38314-z
