Investigation on the Effect of Nanofluid Parameters on MQL Grinding

Nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) method was used in the grinding process to replace conventional fluid grinding for overcoming ecological and economical problems. Although previous researchers have studied the lubricating and cooling performance of nanofluid MQL grinding, a systematical analysis of the effect of nanofluid parameters on grinding performance has not been done yet. In this study, nanofluid surface grinding experiment with MQL method under different nanofluid parameters was accomplished. The grinding properties, such as grinding force, grinding force ratio, grinding temperature, and ground surface roughness were investigated. It is found that the lubricating and cooling performance in the grinding zone are improved with the increase of the nanoparticle concentration. Therefore, nanofluid MQL grinding with higher concentration nanoparticle has lower grinding force, grinding temperature, and surface roughness in comparison with lower concentration nanoparticle. When the diameter of nanoparticle increases, tangential grinding force decreases slightly, and the peak grinding temperature is similar. However, the surface finish is deteriorated with the increase of the diameter of nanoparticle. The experimental results also show that the lubricating performance of water-based nanofluid is worse than that of oil-based nanofluid, but the cooling effect is just reverse.