Study on surface integrity of an ultra-high strength alloy in HSC process

Aiming to study the surface integrity of an ultra-high strength alloy in high speed milling process, 2K factorial design experiments were conducted to explore the effects of cutting parameters, such as cutting velocity, feed rate and depth of cut, on microstructure, microhardness and residual stress in the sub-surface layer. The following conclusions could be drawn from this paper within the range of cutting conditions: The cutting parameters could significantly influence the microstructure and microhardness in the surface and sub-surface layers, and the original fine martensite of the surface and sub-surface layer might be transformed into the over-tempered martensite, under-tempered martensite, secondary troostite, and tempered sorbite; Compressive residual stress distributions with different maximum stress values in the sub-surface layer of machined surfaces could emerge in high speed cutting process; the properly arranged cutting condition could achieve ideal surface characteristics and surface integrity.