glossary
Micro Chipping — Glossary Entry
Definition of micro-chipping in industrial cutting: loss of small fragments from the cutting edge, usually a precursor to gross chipping or a wear-rate problem.
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Micro Chipping is the loss of small fragments (0.1–2 mm in size) from the cutting edge. Micro-chips are too small to see with the naked eye but visible under 10× magnification. They are the precursor to gross chipping and a sign that one of the four root causes (hone too sharp, hardness too high, impact load, heat-treat defect) is at work.
How to detect
- Run a cut and inspect the edge under 10× loupe — chips appear as bright facets
- Measure burr growth rate — micro-chipping accelerates burr
- Check the cut surface for parallel scratches downstream of the chip
When to act
A few micro-chips per meter of edge is normal wear. More than 1 chip per 10 mm of edge circumference is a sign of a problem. Either fix the root cause (hone, hardness, impact, heat-treat) or retire the knife.
See also.
