Title: Precision cryogenic drilling, turning and grinding of Ti-64 alloys

Authors: V.C. Venkatesh, S. Izman, T.C. Yap, P.V. Brevern, N.S.M. El-Tayeb

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Howard Hughes College of Engineering, 4505 S Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4027, USA. ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology, 81300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia

Abstract: Ti-6Al-4V alloys are difficult to machine because of their low thermal conductivity and high strength and as a result high wear rates occur with low tool life. Two renowned researchers Chattopadhyay in India and Hong in the USA have reported substantial improvement in tool life during cryogenic turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloys as compared to turning under wet and dry conditions. However, the only work reported on cryogenic grinding is by Chattopadhyay et al. and they indicated that cryogenic CBN bonded grinding performed poorly when compared to wet grinding. The work done by the authors using the novel bondless diamond grinding wheel with cryogenic liquid nitrogen and oil mist showed improvement in surface finish, flatness, and lowering of forces. The only reported work on cryogenic drilling is by Bhattacharyya et al. in New Zealand and the work material was Kevlar composites that machined better when compared to wet grinding. Pin on disc test indicated different wear modes occurring in a cryogenic environment.

Keywords: precision cryogenic drilling; precision cryogenic turning; titanium alloys; bondless diamond grinding wheel; cryogenic liquid nitrogen; oil mist.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2010.031658

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2010 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.287 - 301

Published online: 16 Feb 2010 *

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