Application of Eco-Friendly Cutting Fluids Through Small Quantity Lubrication Technique: A Study

Abstract

Owing to environmental concerns and growing regulations over contamination and pollution, the demand for renewable and biodegradable cutting fluids is rising. The aim of this paper is to review the eco-friendly and user-friendly minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique using vegetable-based oil and solid lubricant in different machining processes. It has been reported in various literature that the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) method using vegetable oil-based cutting fluid shows superior performance as compared to dry and wet machining. The major benefits of MQL are reduction of consumption of cutting fluid, cost saving, reduction of impact to the environment and improved overall performances in cutting operation and the surface quality. To achieve improved thermal conductivity researchers focused attention on nano fluids. Nano fluids are nano-metered sized colloidal suspensions in the base fluid like water, oil, glycol, etc. The application of nano fluid controls the tool wear by reducing the temperature. Impingement of the nano-particles with high pressure in MQL enables entry of nano-particles at the tool chip interface. Thus it reduces the coefficient of friction and improves machining performance significantly.