Abstract: In this paper, the wear of high speed steel hobs during
hobbing has been studied. The wear mechanisms are strongly
influenced by the choice of cutting speed. At moderate and high
cutting speeds three major wear mechanisms were identified:
abrasion, mild adhesive and severe adhesive. The microstructure and
wear behavior of two high speed steel grades (M2 and ASP30) has
been compared. In contrast, a variation in chemical composition or
microstructure of HSS tool material generally did not change the
dominant wear mechanism. However, the tool material properties
determine the resistance against the operating wear mechanism and
consequently the tool life. The metallographic analysis and wear
measurement at the tip of hob teeth included scanning electron
microscopy and stereoscope microscopy. Roughness profilometery is
used for measuring the gear surface roughness.