Studies on the effects of deep cryogenic treated WC–Co insert on turning of Al6063 using multi-objective optimization

Abstract

To improve the machining performance manufacturers adopt various methods to improve the tool life which influences production cost and the degree of the surface finish. Recently cryogenic treatment is used to improve the machining performances. In the present work, the tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC–Co) cutting tool is cryogenically treated at − 196 °C for a soaking time of 24 h and tempered to 200 °C for 2 h. The machinability attributes such as Tool Wear Rate, Surface profile roughness (Ra), of the Cryo Treated (CT) cutting tool, are measured on turning operation with different parametric conditions on the Al6063 alloy and compared with an Untreated Tool (UT). The results show that the CT tool improves the tool life with an acceptable surface finish. Taguchi’s coupled multi-objective optimization methods such as Grey Relational Analysis (TC-GRA) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TC-TOPSIS) were actualized to enhance the turning performance of CT tool. The outcomes revealed that TC-TOPSIS acquired ideal condition is improving the exhibition than the TC-GRA. Furthermore, the interaction impact of cutting parameters is analyzed through 3D surface plots.