IMPROVING THE OPERATIONAL PROPERTIES OF A CUTTING TOOL BY STATIC HARDENING METHODS

Abstract

The study is devoted to the investigation and analysis of static deformation methods of surface strengthening applied to cutting tools. Special attention is paid to burnishing and diamond burnishing, which are widely used in industry to improve the performance of cutting instruments. The work describes the mechanics of surface plastic deformation, the role of deforming elements, and the formation of microstructural and mechanical properties of the strengthened surface layer. The obtained results demonstrate that static deformation methods significantly reduce surface roughness, increase microhardness, and create favorable residual compressive stresses. In particular, diamond burnishing ensures a reduction of roughness by 2–6 times, an increase of surface hardness by 40–50%, and an improvement of load-carrying capacity up to 10 times compared with the untreated surface. The depth of the strengthened layer may vary from 0.2 to 25 mm depending on processing regimes and material properties. Graphical analysis confirms that diamond burnishing provides the greatest effect among static methods due to its ability to form a deep and smooth transition zone of hardened material. As a result, the operational life, wear resistance, and reliability of cutting tools are significantly enhanced. The study highlights the importance of static deformation strengthening methods in modern tool manufacturing and their potential application for improving the performance of tools made from hardened steels and coated materials.