Potential use of cryogenic cooling for improving the tribological and tool wear characteristics while machining aluminum alloys

Abstract

Understanding the process of tool wear in the initial and steady wear stages is crucial for ensuring the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the workpiece, especially during the finishing step. In order to improve the tribological and tool life behaviors when machining the AA2024-T351 alloy, the current paper focuses on the potential use of cryogenic cooling conditions. Here, the experiments were performed under dry, minimal quantity lubrication (MQL), liquid nitrogen (LN2), carbon dioxide (CO2), conditions. The critical tool wear factors in terms of geometrical aspects and physical phenomena were investigated under sustainable cooling environments. The results prove that cryogenic cooling is helpful in improving tool life with good tribological characteristics.