Effect of Wet Blasting and Polishing on the Geometry and Surface Quality of Cemented Carbide Cutting Edges

This paper investigates the influence of two mechanical methods of cutting edge preparation, wet blasting and polishing, on the geometry and surface quality of cemented carbide inserts. The experiments focused on measuring the edge radius and surface roughness (Ra) at defined reference points using contact and optical profilometry. The edge radius was evaluated with a MarSurf XCR20 contact profilometer, while surface roughness was assessed using an Alicona Infinite Focus G5 optical system. Statistical analysis showed that wet blasting ensures greater process stability with lower variation in edge radius, making it suitable for applications that require consistent cutting edge geometry. On the other hand, polishing significantly decreased surface roughness, which is beneficial for reducing friction and wear and for improving the adhesion and uniformity of functional coatings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the smoother and more homogeneous surface structure achieved by polishing. The results underline the importance of selecting a suitable edge preparation method according to the functional requirements of the cutting tool.