Tool wear mechanisms during machining: Its related problems and the way-forward: A review

Tool wear is a significant aspect of the production process, which affects the cost of production due to excess tool substitution during the cutting process if not studied. This review cuts across the application of the cutting tool in the machining operation, tool wear mechanisms (such as abrasion wear, dissolution, adhesion, diffusion, and chemical reactions), and application of cutting fluid's effect on tool wear during the machining process. Nano-lubricants' impact on tool wear during the machining process. The machining parameters greatly affect the tool wear in the machining process, such as cutting speed, feed rate, cutting depth, cutting time, and cutting length. This study also discusses the effects of tool wear with time as it relates to temperature generation at the cutting region. Furthermore, the study highlighted the related problems and ways forward to enable the improvement and elimination of excess tool wear rates during the manufacturing process. For manufacturing industries to improve the life span of cutting tools, such as high-speed steel, carbide, coated and uncoated cutting tools, this study will recommend research on the theoretical modelling in the machining process to develop a general model that can predict tool wear lifespan. This model will improve the production process during cutting or machining.