Tool-chip friction increases cutting temperature, aggravates tool wear, and shortens the service life of cutting tools. A micro-groove design of the rake face can improve the wear performance of the tool. In this study, we used the finite element simulation “Deform” to obtain the temperature field distribution of the tool rake face. The size of the micro-groove was determined by selecting a suitable temperature field combined with the characteristics of tool–chip flow in the cutting process, and the tool was prepared using powder metallurgy. The three-direction cutting forces and tool tip temperature were obtained by a cutting test. Compared with the original turning tool, the cutting force and cutting temperature of the micro-groove tool were reduced by more than 20%, the friction coefficient was reduced by more than 14%, the sliding energy was reduced and the shear energy was greatly decreased. According to the analysis of tool wear by SEM (scanning electron microscope) and EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), the crater wear, adhesive wear and oxidation wear of the micro-groove tool were lower than those of the original turning tool. In particular, the change in the crater wear area on the rake face of the original tool and the micro-groove tool was consistent with the cutting temperature and the wear width of the flank face. On the whole, the crater wear area and the change rate of the crater wear area of the micro-groove tool were smaller. Due to the proper microgroove structure of the rake face, the tool-chip contact area decreased, and the second rake angle of the tool became larger. Hence, the tool-chip friction, cutting forces, cutting energy consumption were reduced, tool wear was improved, and the service life of the micro-groove tool was five times longer than that of the original tool.

AISI 304 has high-tensile strength and excellent corrosion resistance, which is widely needed in the energy industry and equipment manufacturing industry. However, the tools for cutting AISI 304 are easy to wear and have short service life. In order to improve tool life, micro grooves are designed on the rake face of the tool for the machining of AISI 304. Through the single factor cutting experiment, it is found that under the same cutting parameters, the micro groove tool has less cutting depth resistance than the initial tool; the main cutting force and feed resistance are reduced by more than 15%. The shear energy is reduced by more than 13%; the surface roughness and the hardening degree of the workpieces are reduced. Through the durability test, it is found that the service life of the micro groove tool is 57% longer than that of the initial tool, and the abrasive wear, bonding wear, and oxidation wear of the tool are significantly less. Through cutting experiments and theoretical analysis, the cutting performance of the micro groove tool has been improved.