Analysis of EN24 steel in turning process with copper nanofluids under minimum quantity lubrication

Abstract

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is a method which consumes lubricant at a minimum level. In this research work, the usage of copper nanofluids with MQL in turning on EN24 steel is presented. The experiments were performed based on L18 orthogonal arrays by varying the cutting speed, feed rate and environment such as oil with flood lubrication (Oil + FL), oil with minimum quantity lubrication (Oil + MQL) and nanofluids with minimum quantity lubrication. To evaluate the effect of process parameters, the responses, namely, surface roughness and tool wear, were examined. In this study, complex proportional assessment method is used to determine the optimal combination in reducing the surface roughness and tool wear. The results showed that suggested method is appropriate in deciding the best cutting conditions and that nanofluid is the most significant parameter on reducing the surface roughness and tool wear. Further, scanning electron microscope was used to examine the tool wear and chip morphology. Atomic force microscope was also used to observe the three-dimensional view of the machined surface.