This paper presents metal-cutting data for the high-speed machining of copper and aluminum, each at two levels of purity, and over a range of workpiece temperatures from −326 deg F (80 deg K) to 550 deg F (560 deg K). It has been found that cutting behavior is influenced by purity of work material, its initial temperature, and extent of tool-chip contact. The influence of plastic deformation on chip hardness has been found to be intimately associated with the purity of the work material.