Experimental investigation of copper nanofluid based minimum quantity lubrication in turning of H 11 steel

Abstract

Plentiful supply of coolant might enhance the machining cost and also generates environmental hazard. As a result, substitute methods are required to eliminate the problems encountered during use of coolant. In this investigation, the impact of cutting speed, feed and lubrication conditions (dry: no lubrication, oil: machining is performed with groundnut oil and nano fluid: machining performed with copper nano fluid) on surface roughness, tool wear and chip morphology in turning of H 11 steel with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) were examined. Experiments were conducted using L18 orthogonal array. The results reveal that copper nanofluids with MQL provide a substitute for dry and oil machining. Response surface methodology has been used to derive optimal values and mathematical models. Tool wear was reduced by 66% and surface roughness by 40% while machining with copper nano fluids. The surface roughness and tool wear were decreased under optimal machining conditions. Generation of large notched tooth in chips has been minimised with copper nano fluids. Furthermore, the morphology of the chips were analysed for dry, oil and nano fluid under scanning electron microscope to observe the texture created.