Determining tool/chip temperatures from thermography measurements in metal cutting

•Calculated tool/chip temperatures up to 75% greater than measurements in tool side.•Calculation of tool/chip temperatures reliable to discern the influence of material.•Tool/chip temperatures are reliable to analyse the influence of cutting conditions.•Tool/chip temperatures in ferrite-pearlite grades are linked to perlite content.•Deviation less than 12% between FEM and calculated tool/chip temperatures.