Adhesive　effect　and　sticking　substances　directly　affects　cutting　process,　tool　life　and　geometry　angle　due　to　its　randomness　and　unpredictability.　This　paper　presents　a　single　factor　experiment　based　on　adhesive　rate　variation　trend　and　crystal　adhesive　hypothesis　to　understand　the　adhesive　effect　on　tool　damage.　The　results　showed　that　the　microstructures　such　as　cracks,　sticking　substances　and　adhesive　layer　are　the　significant　factor　on　tool　damage　process　to　make　the　coating　more　fragile　and　uncertain,　and　the　adhesive　effect　appears　a　positive　relationship　with　cutting　performance,　surface　friction　environment　and　wear　life.　©　2020　Elsevier　B.V.