Micro Textured Cutting Inserts with Solid Lubrication as Alternative Coolant to Mineral Oil-Based Cutting Fluid in Turning Operation

Abstract

Turning process is a primary process in engineering industries and optimization of process parameters enhance the machining performance. Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy, widely found applications in the manufacturing of blades, sheets and discs in aircraft engines and rocket engines. It provides toughness at low temperature, with stand high mechanical stresses at elevated temperature and creep resistance. In this work, turning process is carried out on Inconel 718 with micro whole textured cutting inserts filled with solid lubricants. Three different solid lubricants are used namely molybdenum-di-sulfide (MoS2), tungsten-di-sulfide (WS2) and calcium-di-fluoride (CaF2). Experiments are performed as per L9 orthogonal array. Statistical approaches such as orthogonal array, Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) are used to find the importance and effects of machining parameters. In this study, input parameters included are feed, cutting speed and depth of cut and output parameter includes surface roughness. Optimization of process parameters is carried out and the significance is estimated. The result suggested that WS2 followed by MoS2 and CaF2 given good surface finish value. Also, solid lubricant in machining enhances the sustainability in manufacturing.