Machining surface quality evaluation of Inconel 718: a comparative study of various coolant and lubrication strategies in milling process

This study focuses on the evaluation of Inconel 718's machining surface quality. Inconel 718 is a superalloy based on nickel that is widely utilized in numerous important applications because of its remarkable mechanical qualities, resistance to corrosion, and stability at high temperatures. The utilization of various coolant and lubrication systems, including chilled minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), chilled air cooling, and dry cutting, is examined in this article. Cutting speed, Vc (100-140 m/min), feed rate, fz (0.1-0.2 mm/tooth), and cooling method (dry, chilled air, chilled MQL) are the three changeable parameters. The paper describes the experiment's findings on cutting force, surface roughness, and tool life. Additionally, explained is the relationship between the outcomes of tool life, surface finish, cutting force, and lubrication method. In comparison to chilled air cooling and dry cutting methods, chilled MQL with a cutting speed of 100 m/min and feed rate of 0.15 mm/tooth was found to give obvious advantages in extending tool life by 65.46 min, lowering surface roughness (0.221 mu m), and reducing cutting force (163 N) throughout the machining process.