Experimental Examination of the Impact of Tool Radius on Specific Energy in Microcutting of Granite

The paper presents experimental results of microcutting brittle materials (granite). The analysis was conceived on the observed interaction between the workpiece and two tools of different shapes. Experiment was based on scratching the workpiece surface with diamond tools. Applied tools had tip radius R0.2 and R0.15 mm. The experiment determined the changes in the value of perpendicular and tangential components of the cutting force based on the geometric properties of tools, as well as the changes of the specific energy of microcutting granite (Jošanica and Bukovik types). The experiment has shown that reduction of tool radius causes reduction of the cutting force intensity and specific cutting energy. Because of its physical/mechanical properties, more energy is required for micromachining granite “Jošanica” than “Bukovik.” Based on the topography of the surface, the value of critical tool penetration depth was established, after which the brittle fracture is no longer present. For granite “Jošanica” values of critical penetration depth are 6 and 5 μm when micromachining with tools R0.2 and R0.15 mm, while for Bukovik those values are 6.5 and 5.5 μm. The paper should form the basis for understanding the phenomena which occur during microcutting brittle materials.