Dataset and methodology on identification and correlation of secondary carbides with microstructure, wear mechanism, and tool performance for different CERMET grades during high-speed dry finish turning of AISI 304 stainless steel

The aim of this research is to utilize reverse engineering approach for the identification of the elements and phases available in the commercial CERMET inserts with the help of characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Deposition (XRD). Four commercial CERMET inserts were investigated in this research work, and the effect of the composition and phases are related to its tool wear mechanism and performance. Each CERMET insert is used to perform a turning process on a CNC lathe for machining stainless steel (SS) under the dry condition at a fixed cutting length interval. Once it completes machining for a fixed cutting length, the CERMET insert is taken out to investigate its wear mechanism with the help of SEM, EDS, XRD and using a focus-variation microscope (Alicona). A correlation analysis is performed to relate progressive tool wear mechanisms with elements and their relevant phases of various carbides. The approach of correlating wear property with the phase content will contribute to the understanding of the wear mechanism under such extreme machining conditions. It will serve as a reference for the improvement of the performance of these CERMET inserts for such harsh machining conditions by the development of protective coatings for these CERMET inserts based on the identification of the composition and phases that improves tool life and reduces wear. The data related research work can be found at “https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203285” [1].