The effects of cooling applications on tool life, surface quality, cutting forces, and cutting zone temperature in turning of Ni-based Inconel 625

Due to their high-temperature resistance, nickel-based super alloys are used in many fields, especially in the aviation and aerospace industries. In addition to these advantages, there are some machining difficulties. Some cooling methods are used to minimize the machining difficulties of these materials. For this purpose, in this study, tool life, tool wear, surface roughness (Ra), cutting forces (Fc), and cutting zone temperature (T) were investigated in turning Inconel 625 super alloys under different cooling conditions. Experiments were carried out under three different cutting conditions (dry, minimum quantity lubrication [MQL], and vortex cooling methods). Three feed rates (0.08, 0.1, and 0.12 mm/rev) and three cutting speeds (60, 80, and 100 m/min) were used. Tool wear tests were conducted at average cutting speed and feed rate (80 m/min and 0.1 mm/rev). After the experiments, it was found out that the cooling application positively affects in terms of tool life, cutting zone temperature, and surface roughness. The lowest wear occurred as 0.136 mm in experiments with MQL. The best values for cutting forces, surface roughness, and cutting zone temperatures were also obtained with MQL.

Automated summary

Nickel-based super alloys are widely used in aviation and aerospace industries due to their high-temperature resistance, but face machining difficulties. This study found that cooling application positively affects tool life, cutting zone temperature, and surface roughness, with the MQL method showing the best performance.