When does tool wear typically occur?

Tool wear typically occurs when excessive pressure is applied, leading to increased friction and heat at the cutting edge of the tool. This pressure accelerates degradation of the tool material, causing it to lose its cutting effectiveness over time. When the cutting forces are too high, it can lead to mechanisms such as abrasion, adhesion, and diffusion, all of which contribute to tool wear and can ultimately affect the quality of the machined surface and overall production efficiency.

Other factors, such as operating with insufficient lubrication, can also contribute to tool wear, but the immediate cause attributed to pressure directly correlates with the physical interactions at the cutting edge. Inadequate lubrication generally exacerbates wear but is often a factor in conjunction with the applied pressure rather than the primary reason for wear itself. Hence, while different conditions can influence how we experience tool wear, excessive pressure is a straightforward and direct cause when it comes to the physical process involved in cutting operations.