Notch Wear

What Is Notch Wear?

Notch wear is a wear mechanism that forms on the flank and rake of a turning insert cutting edge at the “Depth of Cut Line” (See picture) due to temperature and chemical, environmental differences between the section that contacts the raw material and the area just above it.

Notch wear happens almost solely when machining austenitic stainless steel and super alloys. When the notch wear starts to occur, a burr begins forming at the cut, and the burr grows as the Vg develops. It is a frustrating issue since, in many cases, the insert needs to be replaced, although the cutting edge is still in good condition.

How To Avoid Notch Wear?

The best way to prevent notch wear from forming is to change the depth of the cut constantly. However, in many cases, this is not possible. In such situations, you can try to slow down the development of the Vg by reducing the cutting speed and opting for a stronger cutting-edge geometry.