Title: Investigating the feasibility of utilising cactus oil as a minimum quantity lubrication eco-friendly coolant for machining 42CrMo4 steel

Authors: Nada K. Elbadawy; Mohamed A. Daha; Galal Ali Nassef; Ibrahem Maher

Addresses: Production Engineering Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt ' Production Engineering Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt ' Production Engineering Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt ' Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department (IME), School of Innovative Design Engineering (IDE), Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria 21934, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt

Abstract: Lubricants are essential in machining, serving as coolants and cutting fluids. Traditionally, petroleum-based oils were used, but their environmental impact has led to a shift towards eco-friendly options. This research investigated soluble and non-edible cactus oils as cutting fluids in minimum quantity lubrication for turning 42CrMo4 steel with cemented carbide inserts. Minitab software, Taguchi L₉ orthogonal array design, and ANOVA were utilised to evaluate the effects of cutting fluid and depth of cut on surface roughness and flank tool wear. The study aimed to enhance surface roughness and tool wear. Results indicated that surface roughness decreased by 17% with soluble oil and 28% with cactus oil at a 1 mm cutting depth compared to dry conditions. Flank tool wear was reduced by 8% with soluble oil and 16% with cactus oil. Cactus oil improved surface roughness by 13% and tool wear by 9% over soluble oil at the same depth.

Keywords: eco-friendly coolant; dry machining; cactus oil; MQL; surface roughness; flank tool wear; contact angle; dynamic viscosity; viscosity index; rheology; wettability; 42CrMo4.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2026.150476

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2026 Vol.28 No.1, pp.19 - 44

Received: 29 Aug 2024
Accepted: 18 Nov 2024
Published online: 15 Dec 2025 *

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