Cutting Mechanism of Sialon with a Single Point Diamond

The circular cutting with a single point diamond cutting edge, in which the depth of cut is very small and takes maximum at some point, is carried out for making clear a cutting process of sialon under conditions similar to practical grinding, investigating sliding of a diamond on sialon, chip formation, groove profile, stock removal and so on. Main conclusions obtained in this study are as follows: (1) There are three different regions with depth of cut; elastic, plastic and cutting region. (2) In the transitional cutting process, there are following three types of interference with maximum depth of cut; (i) elastic region through the contact length, (ii) elastic — plastic — elastic, (iii) elastic — plastic — cutting — plastic — elastic. (3) Chips are formed by plastic deformation as well as brittle fracture. (4) Cracks generated under real interference groove become larger with increases of depth of cut and nose radius of cutting edge.