Influence of hybrid Cryo-MQL lubri-cooling strategy on the machining and tribological characteristics of Inconel 718

The poor thermal conductivity of Inconel 718 leads to higher cutting temperatures and, as a consequence, rapid tool degradation is a common phenomenon. As a result, a hybrid lubri-cooling environment for turning Inconel 718 alloys is proposed, incorporating the theory of cryogenic cooling and minimum quantity lubrication (CryoMQL). For improved lubri-cooling effect, Cryo-MQL integrates the application of a minimum quantity of vegetable oil and liquid nitrogen from two distinct nozzles in the cutting zone. Surface roughness, cutting temperature, tool wear, chip morphology, and micro-structure of the machined surface were evaluated for different lubri-cooling mediums: dry, MQL, Cryogenic, and Cryo-MQL. In comparison to a dry medium, the Cryo-MQL environment decreases surface roughness, cutting temperature, and tool wear by 60.6%, 37%, and 19.5%, respectively. Adhesion and abrasion were patented to be common tool wear types, as per SEM micro-graphs. Eventually, in the Cryo-MQL environment, a spike in micro-hardness value has been reported. However, during processing with Cryo-MQL, the grain structure of the working material is found to be smaller as compared to other mediums.

Automated summary

A hybrid lubri-cooling technique, combining minimum quantity lubrication with cryogenic cooling, was proposed for turning Inconel 718 alloys. The Cryo-MQL environment significantly reduced surface roughness, cutting temperature, and tool wear, while also improving the microstructure of the machined surface.