Effect of cryogenic cooling in milling process of AISI 304 stainless steel

Abstract

The effects of cryogenic cooling on cutting forces in the milling process of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated experimentally. Cryogenic cooling was achieved by spraying liquid nitrogen to tool, chips and material interfaces using a pipe with an internal diameter of 1 mm; the flow rate of liquid nitrogen was 5.2 L/min; two cutting directions (climbing and conventional milling), two machining conditions (dry and cryogenic cooling) and four cutting speeds (80, 120, 160 and 200 m/min) were used in the milling process. Cryogenic cooling and cutting speed are found to be effective on cutting forces. Cutting forces and torque in cryogenic milling are higher than those in dry milling. Cutting force is increased as the cutting speed is increased. Tool fritter around insert nose radius is the main problem of climb milling method in cryogenic cooling at low cutting speeds.