Performance assessment of vegetable oil-based nanofluid in Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) during machining of Inconel 718

Abstract

ABSTRACT Metal cutting industries are focusing on the development of sustainable and eco-friendly machining processes. The work focused on the applicability of nanofluid-based minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) during the machining of Inconel 718. The performance of palm oil mixed with nano-molybdenum disulphide (nMoS2) with varying concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) is assessed in machining with MQL. The turning operations have been executed under dry, wet, MQL, and nMQSL (palm oil+ nMoS2) environments. The machining performance is evaluated by measuring surface roughness, tool wear, micro-hardness, and chip morphology. Also, the analysis of worn tools has been performed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to comprehend the tool wear mechanism during the turning of Inconel 718. A noteworthy reduction in surface roughness and tool wear (flank and crater wear) is observed with 1% nMoS2 mixed with palm oil compared to other machining environments. Also, the acceptable chip forms are produced with MQL and nMQSL revealed the cooling and lubrication efficacy of the lubricant mixture. Based on the findings of the work, the blend of palm oil mixed with nMoS2 can be considered as a feasible alternative to achieve sustainable machining.