Investigation on Machining Performance of Inconel 718 under High Pressure Cooling Conditions

The paper deals with experimental investigation on machinability of Inconel 718 in conventional and alternative high pressure cooling conditions. The experiments are designed according to Taguchi L18 orthogonal array based on three levels of cutting speed, feed rate and fluid pressure and two levels of depth of cut. The cutting forces and tool flank wear were measured, while turning Inconel 718 workpieces, using (Ti, Al)N+TiN coated CNMG0812 carbide cutting tools. In order to determine the importance of cutting parameters on tool flank wear and cutting forces, ANOVA (Analysis of variance) was employed. Moreover, with multi regression analysis, empirical equations that indicate relation between tool flank wear and cutting forces with machining parameters were defined. The experiment results have proven that the tool flank wear and cutting forces considerably decrease with the delivery of high pressure coolant to the cutting zone. Moreover; ANOVA results also indicate that high pressure cooling has a significant beneficial effect on cutting tool life.