Using PCD for machining CGI with a CO₂ coolant system

Polycrystalline diamond is widely used as a economic cutting material for machining non-ferrous materials such as aluminum. It is perceived that diamond cannot be used for cutting ferrous materials due to the high affinity of carbon to iron. Nevertheless, under certain conditions it is possible to use diamond materials for cutting ferrous metals. In order to avoid graphitization of the diamond matrix, it is necessary to keep the cutting temperature below the critical level of diamond graphitization. This paper presents the influence of a cryogenic CO₂ coolant strategy on the cutting process using PCD tools for cutting high strength compacted graphite iron (CGI). Investigations show, that tool wear behavior strongly correlates with the cutting speed, the cutting forces, cutting temperatures, and surface roughness of the workpiece. The test results show, that the tool life of PCD for cutting cast iron is dependent on the diamond grain size, the binder material, and the cutting parameters.