Title: Preparation, characterisation and testing of graphene self-lubricated tungsten carbide tools for sustainable turning

Authors: Amrita Maddamasetty; Kamesh Bodduru; Rukmini Srikant Revuru

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (A), Visakhapatnam 530048, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India ' Department of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Campus St., Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA

Abstract: Cutting fluids are commonly used for cooling and lubrication in machining but are unsafe to the environment and cause health problems in workers. Though dry machining can be used to eliminate this problem, it is not preferred, owing to high temperature and friction. Additives with higher thermal conductivity and lubricating properties can increase the cooling and lubricating capabilities of cutting tools. Present work aims to check the feasibility of preparing graphene self-lubricated tungsten carbide tools using powder metallurgy and adding varying concentration of graphene. The prepared tool materials are tested for tribological and thermal properties. Both Inconel718 and Ti6Al4V are machined using graphene self-lubricated tools. Addition of graphene in minute quantities to tungsten carbide tools enhanced the tribological and thermal properties and also showed improvement in turning performance.

Keywords: sustainability; graphene; tungsten carbide; hardness; tribology; machining; Inconel718; Ti6Al4V.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2021.117661

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2021 Vol.23 No.4, pp.327 - 347

Received: 20 Nov 2020
Accepted: 30 Jan 2021
Published online: 20 Sep 2021 *

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