A technique based on the finite element method (FEM) is used in the simulation of metal cutting process. This offers the advantages of the prediction of the cutting force, the stresses, the temperature, the tool wear, and optimization of the cutting condition, the tool shape and the residual stress of the surface. However, the accuracy and reliability of prediction depend on the flow stress of the workpiece. There are various models which describe the relationship between the flow stress and the strain. The Johnson-Cook model is a well-known material model capable of doing this. Low-alloy steel is developed for a dry storage container for used nuclear fuel. Related to this, a process analysis of the plastic machining capability is necessary. For a plastic processing analysis of machining or forging, there are five parameters that must be input into the Johnson-Cook model in this paper. These are (1) the determination of the strain-hardening modulus and the strain hardening exponent through a room-temperature tensile test, (2) the determination of the thermal softening exponent through a high-temperature tensile test, (3) the determination of the cutting forces through an orthogonal cutting test at various cutting speeds, (4) the determination of the strain-rate hardening modulus comparing the orthogonal cutting test results with FEM results. (5) Finally, to validate the Johnson-Cook material parameters, a comparison of the room-temperature tensile test result with a quasi-static simulation using LS-Dyna is necessary.