Table 1 Overview of the parameters of the model in relation to cutting mechanisms

Shear modulus (G)

Defines the stiffness of the bulk material and the energy stored during indentation. Influences how much strain energy is available to drive the propagation of a cut.

Poisson’s ratio (ν)

Governs the material’s lateral response under compression. Affects the bulk deformation around the blade during indentation and cutting.

Fracture toughness (G_c)

Total energy required to create new cutting surfaces via cohesive failure. Determines the resistance to cutting initiation and propagation. Higher values lead to tougher, more cut-resistant behavior.

Characteristic opening displacement (δ_c)

The maximum separation at which the cohesive traction reduces by a factor of 0.37. Sets the opening width needed to degrade cohesive forces–needs to be smaller than the cutting blade thickness.

Viscous damping regularization (η_reg)

Introduces rate-dependence in the cohesive zone to improve numerical stability and mimic the effects observed during steady cutting of materials with internal heterogeneous structures like processed food. Allows for describing the damping effect in cutting initiation due to such heterogeneous structures.

Friction coefficient (μ)

Pressure-dependent Coulomb-type friction opposing relative sliding between blade and material, proportional to contact pressure. Significant during indentation and tight contact phases.

Critical shear stress for combined adhesion and wear (τ_W)

Pressure-independent shear resistance due to adhesion (surface stickiness) and wear. Important for capturing the increasing cutting force observed in cohesive and sticky materials in the cutting regime due to contact with the cutting tool.