Surface integrity comprises the study of the alterations induced during the manufacture of a component that might affect its properties and service performance. Therefore, additionally to geometric irregularities (surface texture and both dimensional and geometric deviations), the study on surface alterations (such as metallurgical alterations, cracks and residual stresses) induced by hard-part machining is of utmost importance, especially in the case of components subjected to dynamic loading. Consequently, this chapter is focused on the investigation of the influence of tool material and geometry and cutting parameters on the surface integrity of components subjected to hard-part machining and, when applicable, comparisons are drawn with grinding and non-conventional processes, especially electrical discharge machining (EDM).
Geometric IrregularitiesOwing to the fact that in most cases hard-part machining is employed as an alternative to grinding, the requirements concerned with surface texture (microgeomet-__________________________________ A.M. Abrão