Quantitative Assessment of the Influence of Calcium Additions on Tool Wear in 8620 Steel

The effect of calcium additions on the tool wear behavior of a series of SAE 8620 bar steels has been investigated. Of particular interest in this study was the influence of Ca additions on: (1) the stereological parameters of the non-metallic inclusions, and (2) the quantitative evaluation of the machinability behavior (B-index) of the steels using the Volvo tool wear test. The results of this investigation have revealed a linear relationship between the machinability of the workpiece (B-index) and certain non-metallic inclusion stereological parameters (ISP).