A comparative study on different textured and untextured tools performance in turning process

In the turning process, surface quality and tool life significantly depend on the surface texture design, tool geometry, process parameters, and cooling environment. Further, cutting velocity (v) and feed rate (f) have a proportional relationship with productivity. In the past, few attempts were made in turning of AISI 304 under cryogenic, dry, and combination of cryo-MQL conditions with conventional (without texture) tools. In the present research work, different microgroove angles 90 degrees (T-1), 45 degrees (T-2), and 60 degrees (T-3) to the main cutting edge of the tool was prepared on the rake face of the PVD coated tungsten carbide tools, and performed experiments on AISI 304 SS under MQL cooling technique at varying 'v' and 'f' conditions, respectively. Further, experimental results were compared with untextured tools under MQL and wet cooling, respectively. From the results, the T-1 tool with MQL significantly reduced the surface roughness (R-a), tool wear (V-b), and cutting zone temperature (T-t) when compared to the T-2 tool with MQL, T-3 with MQL, untextured tool with MQL, and untextured tool with wet cooling, respectively, at varying 'v' and 'f' conditions.

Automated summary

The study shows that by designing microgrooves on the tool surface, it can significantly reduce surface roughness, tool wear, and cutting zone temperature, while improving productivity. Experimental comparisons reveal that the tool with a microgroove angle of 90 degrees performs the best under MQL conditions compared to untextured tools.