Abstracto

Nanofluids as cutting fluids in minimum quantity lubrication turning operation

V.Vasu, Praful P.Ulhe

In most of the metal industries, the use of cutting fluid has become more problematic in terms of both employee health and environmental pollution. But the use of cutting fluid generally causes economy of tools and it becomes easier to keep tight tolerances and to maintain work piece surface properties without damages. Because of these, some alternatives has been sought to minimize or even avoid the use of cutting fluid in machining operations. Some of these alternatives are dry machining and machining with minimum quantity of lubrication (MQL). In this paper, experimental investigations for the enhanced cutting fluid properties is studied by inclusion of Al2O3 nanoparticles. Surface Roughness, chip formation and tool wear in turning of Mild Steel at different industrial speed-feed-depth of cut combinations by HSS cutting tool are presented and compared with wet machining, MQL machining and MQL with Al2O3 nanoparticles. Results indicate that inclusion of Al2O3 nanoparticle enables substantial reduction in the cutting tool temperature, tool wear and improve surface finish, which provide better cooling and lubricating in the Machining processes.