Need and purpose of chip-breaking

Continuous machining like turning of ductile metals produces continuous chips, which leads to their handling and disposal problems. The problems become acute when ductile but strong metals like steels are machined at high cutting velocity for high MRR (material removing rate) by flat rake face type carbide or ceramic inserts. The sharp edged hot continuous chip, that comes out at very high speed-

·         becomes dangerous to the operator and the other people working in the vicinity

·         may impair the finished surface by entangling with the rotating job

·         creates difficulties in chip disposal.

Therefore it is essentially needed to break such continuous chips into small regular pieces for

·  safety of the working people

·  prevention of damage of the product

·  easy collection and disposal of chips.

Chip breaking is done in proper way also for the additional purpose of improving machinability by reducing the chip-tool contact area, cutting forces and crater wear of the cutting tool.