Effect of cutting fluids applied in MQCL mode on machinability of Ti-6Al-4V

This paper experimentally investigates the role of minimum quantity cooling-lubrication (MQCL) with soluble oil, aqueous alumina and hBN nanofluids in turning of Ti-6Al-4 V. The effect of various machining environments has been studied on different machinability characteristics like all the three components of cutting forces, state of effective lubrication at the chip-tool interface, different tool wear parameters and adhesion of work material on the rake surface. The concept of cumulative machinability index has been used to analyze the role of machining environments. Soluble oil when applied in MQCL mode provided the best performance due to a much better state of effective lubrication at the chip-tool interface. Flood cooling with the same soluble oil could not provide comparable performance mainly due to its poor reachability at the chip-tool interface. Aqueous nanofluids also could not compete with soluble oil applied in MQCL mode mainly due to the intimate nature of contact and high cutting temperature at the chip-tool interface in turning of Ti-alloys.