Investigation of machinability in milling of Inconel 718 with solid Sialon ceramic tool using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2)-based cooling conditions

Milling of hard-to-machining materials is still a challenge since the high cutting temperature caused by the cooling lubrication problems and the property of materials. This paper proposes the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)), supercritical carbon dioxide based minimum quantity lubrication cutting fluid (scCO(2)-MQL), and supercritical carbon dioxide based minimum quantity lubrication with oil droplets cutting fluid (scCO(2)-OoW) as the eco-friendly cooling-lubrication methods for milling of Inconel 718 superalloy. The cutting forces, cutting temperatures, surface roughness, surface topographies, subsurface characteristics and tool wear were performed to quantify the effect of various cooling methods. The results indicated that the application of scCO(2)-based cooling conditions was an effective cooling and lubrication technology for the ceramic tool since it could reduce the cutting force and temperature and improve the surface finish with lower peaks and valleys dispersion compared with other cooling conditions. Compared with the scCO(2)-MQL, only scCO(2) and dry milling conditions, the topographies of machined surface under the scCO(2)-OoW condition have been significantly improved. Furthermore, the scCO(2)-OoW cooling technique has facilitated the removal of debris adhering to the ceramic tool and improved lubrication of the cutting zone.