Title: Performance of the minimum quantity lubrication technique in turning Inconel 718 at high cutting speed

Authors: Leonardo R. Silva, Cleide B. Soares

Addresses: Department of Mechanics, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais – CEFET/MG, Av. Amazonas 5253, Nova Suica, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 30.480-000, Brazil. ' Department of Mechanics, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais – CEFET/MG, Av. Amazonas 5253, Nova Suica, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 30.480-000, Brazil

Abstract: Conventional cutting fluids used for machining processes are considered a problem for companies because these substances can cause serious damage to workers| health and nature, and are expensive to acquire and maintain, following environmental norms. Economic pressure on industries due to waste disposal is increasing progressively. Today, costs of cutting fluids can reach 20% of production costs. Dry machining with the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique has triggered special interest from researchers and technicians who work in the area of material removal as an alternative to traditional fluids. There are many advantages when compared to conventional cooling. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of several geometries of ceramic (Al2O3 + SiCw and Al2O3 + TiC) and PCBN (CB7050 with 50% CBN) tools when turning at high cutting speeds, a nickel-based alloy (Inconel 718) hardened by solution and precipitation (44HRc). The experiments were carried out under dry cutting condition using the minimum quantity lubrication technique, to meet environmental requirements. The roughness, temperature and cutting force parameters were analysed. With the results presented in this study, technological and ecological gains can be expected in machining the superalloy using MQL.

Keywords: high speed machining; HSM; environmental machining; ceramic tools; PCBN tools; minimum quantity lubrication; MQL; nickel based alloys; dry machining; dry cutting; surface roughness; temperature; cutting force.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2009.026900

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2009 Vol.5 No.4, pp.401 - 416

Published online: 28 Jun 2009 *

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