Wear prediction of BTA drill based on finite element method for drilling laminated Inconel 625 deposited metal and FeCr alloy material

Abstract

This study investigated the wear prediction of BTA drills for laminated Inconel 625 deposited metal and FeCr alloy materials using 3D finite element modelling. High interface temperature owing to increased cutting speed enhances the abrasive wear mechanism of Inconel 625, while FeCr alloy exhibits a predominantly adhesive wear mechanism. The interface temperature and normal pressure required as inputs for tool-wear prediction were obtained using response surface methodology (RSM), which was developed by combining the central composite design (CCD) with finite element method simulation. This approach significantly improved the computational efficiency and provides accurate predictions with the calibrated friction model. A modified Usui wear model was established considering the sensitivity of temperature to wear rate for Inconel 625. A significant improvement in prediction accuracy was observed compared with the original Usui equation. The proposed tool-wear prediction model was validated through experimental tests. The maximum predicted flank wear width deviations for the outer and intermediate edges of BTA drill were 2% and 7%, respectively. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed BTA drill wear-prediction approach for laminated materials with different wear characteristics, providing theoretical guidance for cutting-parameter optimisation and tool-replacement strategies.