硬质合金和陶瓷刀具刀片通常涂有各种硬质薄膜，以提高耐磨性和刀具寿命。由于刀具磨损可通过多种机制发生，包括热机制和非热机制，因此进行了一项研究，以表征在陶瓷刀具镶块上涂覆导热硬涂层的典型效果。建立了氧化铝刀具切削区域的三维有限元模型，以评估涂层和未涂层刀具的相对热分布和由此产生的机械应力。

CARBIDE AND CERAMIC TOOL INSERTS ARE OFTEN COATED WITH A VARIETY OF HARD FILMS TO IMPROVE THE WEAR RESISTANCE AND TOOL LIFE. SINCE TOOL WEAR CAN OCCUR BY A NUMBER OF MECHANISMS, INCLUDING BOTH THERMAL AND ATHERMAL MECHANISMS, AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED TO CHARACTERIZE THE TYPICAL EFFECTS OF APPLYING A THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE HARD COATING TO A CERAMIC TOOL INSERT. A 3-D FINITE MODEL WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE CUTTING REGION OF THE ALUMINA TOOL, TO EVALUATE THE RELATIVE THERMAL DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESULTING MECHANICAL STRESSES FOR THE COATED AND UNCOATED TOOL.