In this study, an experimental and statistic investigation approach based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface methodology (RSM) techniques was performed to find the significant main effects and two-factor interaction effects and to determine how the controllable factors such as cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut (DOC), tool nose radius, substrate and coating method of cutting tools influence surface quality in turning of AISI 1045 steel. The first optimal or near-optimal conditions for the quality of the generated surface and the second ones, including maximum material removal rate, were established using the proposed regression equations. The group mean roughness of the turned workpieces was lower from using chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-coated carbide inserts than the group means of other types of inserts; however they could not achieve the specific lowest roughness. The physical vapor deposition (PVD)-coated carbide and cermet inserts achieved the best surface quality when the specific combinations within the range interval of controllable factors were used in the experiment, showing that they may be applied to finish turning processes or even to particular high material removal rate conditions associated with the lowest roughness.
Keywords: ANOVA; RSM; cermet inserts; coated carbide inserts; high material removal rate; surface roughness; turning mild steel.