There are three patterns for a chip to break after it has been cut.

1. Self-breaking

Self-breaking, where thematerial, in combina-tion with how the chip iscurved, leads to the chipsbeing parted as they comeoff the insert.

 2.Against the tool

Chips breaking against thetool, where the chip curvesaround until it makescontact with the clearanceface of the insert or toolholder, and the resultingstrain snaps it. Althoughoften accepted, thismethod can in some caseslead to chip hammering,where the chip damagesthe insert.

 3.Against the workpiece

Chips breaking against theworkpiece, where the chipsnaps when making con-tact with the surface thathas just been machined.This type of chip breakingis usually not suitable inapplications where a goodsurface finish is needed,because of possibledamage caused to thecomponent.