In the mechanics of machining (manufacturing processes), cutting temperature arises from three heat sources—primary shear deformation, secondary chip-tool interface friction, and tool-workpiece flank rubbing—with heat partitioned among the chip, tool, and workpiece according to material thermal conductivity and cutting speed. Elevated cutting temperature is generally detrimental, accelerating tool wear, plastic deformation, thermal flaking/fracture, and built-up edge formation on the tool, while inducing dimensional inaccuracy, poor surface finish, and residual tensile stresses in the workpiece, though it can be exploited deliberately (hot machining) to soften hard-to-machine materials and reduce cutting force. Cutting temperature can be estimated analytically, via energy-balance and dimensional-analysis (Buckingham theorem) formulations relating temperature to cutting force, velocity, and thermal properties, or measured experimentally through techniques such as tool-work thermocouple, moving/embedded thermocouple, compound rake tool, photocell, and infrared methods, and is governed principally by cutting velocity, feed, depth of cut, tool and work material properties, and cutting fluid application.
In the mechanics of machining (manufacturing processes), cutting temperature arises from three heat sources—primary shear deformation, secondary chip-tool interface friction, and tool-workpiece flank…