Influence of Green Nanocutting Fluids on Machining Performance Using Minimum Quantity Lubrication Technique

Abstract

Abstract The present work focuses on the performance of vegetable oil based nanocutting fluids in turning AISI 1040 steel using coated carbide inserts. Nanocutting fluids are formulated by dispersing nanographene particles in coconut oil and canola oil. After formulation the nanofluids are tested for basic properties to assess their viability in machining. Machining is done at varying cutting conditions and varying nanoparticle inclusions and cutting fluids are applied through minimum quantity lubrication technique at the rate of 10ml/min. Experiments are designed using L18 orthogonal array. During machining cutting forces and cutting temperatures are measured. Tool wear and surface roughness of the machined component are measured offline. Machining performance is compared by considering dry, conventional cutting fluid, pure vegetable oil and vegetable oil with nanographene dispersions. It is observed that application of coconut oil based nanographene cutting fluids resulted in reduction of cutting forces, cutting temperatures, tool wear and surface roughness. Multi-objective optimization is implemented to interpret the optimum machining conditions and optimum percentage of nanoparticle inclusions. Thus this work addresses one of the major problems in manufacturing industries with reference to conventional cutting fluids. It can be inferred that vegetable oil based nanocutting fluids or green cutting fluids have the potential to improve machining performance while providing eco-friendly and operator friendly machining environment.