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The paper is focused on the 3D numerical prediction of tool wear in metal cutting operations. In particular, an analytical model, able to take into account the diffusive wear mechanism, was implemented through a specific subroutine. Furthermore, an advanced approach to model heat transfer phenomena at the tool-chip interface was included in the numerical simulation. The adopted simulation strategy gave the possibility to properly evaluate the tool wear. The 3D FEM results were compared with some experimental data obtained turning AISI 1045 steel using uncoated WC tool; a good agreement was found out. The implemented wear model furnished quite good results in terms of maximum flank wear and crater depth and position (KT and KM). In turn, larger errors were found for the crater area prediction: the simulated worn area is always lower than the experimental one. This should be due to the fact that the implemented wear model takes into account the diffusive wear mechanism only, which is activated for a tool rake face temperature higher than 800 deg C. Therefore, the tool areas at temperatures lower than this threshold are not considered worn in the simulation. The reliability of the model will be enhanced in the future, improving the wear model in order to take into account abrasive wear too. It is worth outlining that the developed model permits a quite satisfactory wear prediction for 3D cutting conditions and it represents a useful approach also for industrial needs.