The Chip Thickness Ratio (Cutting Ratio) and Chip Reduction Coefficient with Equation

Chip thickness ratio

In the metal cutting process, the chip flow of the metal is shorter and thicker than the metal prior to the cutting because of plastic deformation. The extent of this variance in dimension is denoted by the chip thickness ratio or cutting ratio. The chip thickness ratio or cutting ratio is defined as the ratio of chip thickness before cutting to the thickness after cutting.

Chip thickness ratio depends on

• Type of material to be worked
• Geometry of cutting tool
• Types of cutting fluid
• Other cutting variables such as feed rate, speed, depth.

Let
t₁ = chip thickness before cutting or depth of cut
t₂ = chip thickness after cutting
Then chip thickness ratio
Higher cutting ratio denotes that the cutting action is good.

l₁= length before cutting
l₂ = length of chip after cutting
b₁= width of chip before cutting
b₂ = width of chip after cutting
α = rake angle of tool
β = shear angle

The volume before cutting is equal to the volume after cutting. i.e., the volume of metal cut off from workpiece equal to the volume of the chip.

l₁ b₁ t₁ = l₂ b₂ t₂
Normally b₁= b₂, then
t₁ l₁ = t₂ l₂
Then chip thickness ratio

The shear angle can be easily determined by measuring chip thickness ratio, depth of cut and the rake angle of tool

Coefficient of chip contraction or Chip reduction coefficient

The shortening of chip length is known as the longitudinal chip contraction. The inverse of chip thickness ratio is known as chip reduction coefficient. The coefficient of chip contraction or chip reduction coefficient is a quantitative measurement of plastic deformation occurred during the cutting process.

Chip reduction ratio

The value of k may be high as 8 depending on cutting condition.

Contraction of chip increases when

• Increase cutting angle or smaller positive rake angle
• Increase in nose radius

 

Read: Chip Reduction Coefficient Plot Against Cutting Speed, Feed, and Type of Cutting Fluid