Lubrication of the cutting tools in a stainless finishing line

Sammanfattning: In this thesis work the possible benefits of implementing a lubricant in the process of cutting stainless steel has been investigated. It has also be investigated how the lubricant could lower the wear rate in the cutting process. Different surface prearations has also been tested to see how these will affect the resistance towards galling which is one of the limiting parameter for the lifetime of the cutting steels at Outokumpus production center in Avesta. These tests has been performed in a tribological test called crossed cylinder test with a duplex stainles steel as work material sliding against a tool steel. The lubricants that has been tested is a water based fluid developed for sheet metal forming and cutting meant to leave no residuas on the surface that can act harmful to welding for example. The biggest benefit has been shown when implementing the lubricant but also a small decrease of the wear rate has been obtained by changing the surface preparation of the cutting tool surface.