## 1 Introduction  
In the construction and mining industry, tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) play a crucial role in excavating tunnels for various infrastructure projects. These machines use disc cutters as important tools to break rock during tunnel construction. The disc cutters are installed in the front part of the TBM's cutter head at a specific radial distance. The rotation of the TBM's cutter head causes the disc cutters to roll, whereby their rolling speed depends on the rotational speed (RPM) of the cutter head and the radial installation position. The position of the disc cutter in the cutter head affects the amount of physical work it performs within a certain period of time, which is related to the wear of the disc cutter. In addition, the disc cutter is subjected to very high stresses due to the considerable load force acting on a relatively small contact area between the rock and the tip of the disc cutter. During TBM tunneling, especially in hard and discontinuous rock masses, stresses can sometimes reach extremely high values. The wear resistance of disc cutters in tunnel construction using TBMs is a decisive aspect of their performance and durability. Studies by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [1] and [PERSON] et al. [2] have shown a correlation between the wear of disc cutters and material factors such as hardness and toughness. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [1] emphasized the influence of hardness on wear resistance and pointed out the importance of matching the microhardness of the cutter to the hardness of the rock. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [2] showed that the wear properties of disc cutter rings are determined by their hardness and toughness and discussed the significance of material properties in wear resistance. As stated by [PERSON] et al. [3], the accurate prediction of the wear of disc cutters is important for optimizing the performance of TBMs and minimizing costs. This study explores the detrimental effects of exceeding the critical wear values of disc cutters, which not only reduces the efficiency of disc cutters but also increases stresses and potentially leads to bearing damage or sealing issues. In addition, the causes of disc cutter replacement vary depending on their position. Problems such as gripping or jamming often occur to disc cutters installed in the center of the TBM's cutter head, while fractures and cracks can be observed in disc cutters on the periphery of the cutter head. Normal wear, crushing, and mushrooming have been identified as the main causes of damage to all discs and are responsible for a significant proportion of replacements. Improving resistance to these factors could therefore significantly extend the service life of disc cutters. In recent studies in the literature, various strategies have been investigated to improve the performance and durability of disc cutters under different material and manufacturing conditions. Studies by [PERSON] et al. [4] and [PERSON] et al. [5] focus on the design of disc cutters, their material composition, and processing techniques to improve wear resistance. These studies underline the influence of factors such as the diameter, shape, and material composition of disc cutters on wear resistance and provide valuable insights to optimize their performance in difficult operating environments. [PERSON] et al. [4] also investigated the remanufacturing of H13 steel disc cutters and presented advances in repair techniques. They point out the advantages of remanufacturing technology in improving energy and material utilization, which ultimately increases cutting efficiency and reduces production costs. [PERSON] et al. [5] proposed the optimization of processing technology by analyzing factors such as blank size, heating temperature, preheating temperature, and the friction coefficient to determine optimal forming parameters. Their research discusses the importance of suitable heat treatment processes, such as high-temperature quenching and tempering, to improve the material properties and performance of disc cutters.