Predicting the Effects of Cold Working on the Machining Characteristics of Low Carbon Steels

Experiments show that the cold working of low carbon steel work materials can improve their machinability by reducing cutting forces and improving surface finish and tool life. The somewhat paradoxical result of reducing cutting forces by cold working a material so that its hardness is increased is explained in this paper by using a machining theory which takes account of the flow stress properties of the work material and can thus allow for the effects of cold working.