Hard turning process can be defined as a single-point machining process carried out on "hard" materials. The process is intended to replace or limit traditional grinding operations that are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and inflexible. The purpose of this study is to achieve a systematic understanding of machining characteristics and the effects of machining parameters on cutting force, tool wear shape and chip formation by the outer cutting of a kind of wear resistant tungsten carbide V30. Hard turning experiments were carried out on this alloy using the PCD (Poly Crystalline Diamond), cBN (cubic Boron Nitride) and PcBN (Polycrystalline cubic Boron Nitride) cutting tools. The PcBN and the usual cBN tools were used to be compare with the PCD tool and the dry turning was carried out. The PcBN is attractive as the tool material which replaces the PCD. The tool wear width and cutting force were measured, and the worn tool and chip were observed. The difference of the tool wear mechanism among the three tool materials was investigated.
