What type of chips do hard metals often produce during cutting operations?

Hard metals typically produce discontinuous chips during cutting operations due to their brittleness and the high hardness that characterizes these materials. When cutting hard metals, the cutting tool exerts significant force and, as a result, the material tends to fracture and break apart rather than deform smoothly. This results in irregular, fragmented chip formations instead of a continuous flow.

Discontinuous chips are particularly characteristic of materials that have high strength and toughness properties, contributing to their sharp, jagged appearance. This contrasts with continuous chips seen in more ductile materials, where the chip formation is more uniform and uninterrupted. Understanding the chip formation process is critical in machining as it impacts factors such as tool wear, surface finish, and the need for coolant or lubrication in the cutting operation.