Machinability of high-strength steels can be improved without degrading the mechanical properties using metallurgical solutions to create or retain non-metallic inclusions. Such a metallurgical treatment usually leads, during machining, to the appearance of so-called Built-Up Layers (BULs) or transfer layers on the cutting tool. These BULs protect the tool against wear, and longer tool life or better productivity is achieved. Formation of such BULs on the cutting tool depends on many parameters i.e. tool geometry, tool material, cutting conditions. This paper proposes an experimental methodology to identify and describe BUL occurring on the tool rake face. Machining tests were carried out with a high strength free-cutting steel using an untested AlSiTiN coated carbide tool. BULs morphology and composition were determined for various cutting conditions. Temperature distributions at the tool-chip interface were measured during the cutting tests using an infrared camera. BUL appearance was then linked to the thermo-mechanical conditions at the tool-chip interface.