Title: Experimental studies on machinability of six kinds of nickel-based superalloys

Authors: Gang Liu, Ming Chen, Zhong Shen

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, PR China

Abstract: Nickel-based superalloy is one of extremely difficult-to-cut materials. In this paper, six typical nickel-based superalloys (GH80A, GH738, GH3030, GH3044, GH4033 and GH4169) were studied. By means of studies on tool life, Material Removal (MR) in tool life, cutting forces, wear mechanism and failure modes, comparisons of the machinability of nickel-based superalloys which were cut by uncoated and TiAlN coated tools were shown. The match between tools and workpieces was provided. The uncoated tools matched with cutting speed 50 m/min can obtain better cutting performance, cutting efficiency and more MR in tool life. The machinability of the six kinds of materials queues from easiness to difficulty as follows: GH3030, GH3044, GH4033, GH80A, GH4169 and GH738. The influences of major elements on the machinability of nickel-based superalloys and tool wear were also investigated. Finally the comprehensive comparisons of tool wear mechanism and failure modes when machining these superalloys were presented.

Keywords: machinability; nickel-based superalloys; turning; tool life; cutting forces; wear mechanisms; failure modes; experiment; tool wear; material removal; cutting performance; cutting efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2006.011372

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2006 Vol.1 No.3, pp.287 - 300

Published online: 24 Nov 2006 *

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