Performance Assessment of Solid Lubricants in Machining using Minimum Quantity Solid Lubrication

Abstract

World has seen note-worthy changes in different areas like engineering, communication, information technology, medical, etc. during last three decades. There are many changes like development of CAD/CAM, enhanced capabilities of machine tools, development of new materials for specific application with better performance, advancement in cutting tool materials, etc. in the field of engineering has offered numerous benefits. However, it also offered challenges particularly from environmental point of view. Machining processes are the manufacturing processes, capable of producing required parts, by removal of material, with harder cutting tool and applying the cutting fluid for better performance. Minimum quantity solid lubrication is one of the technique of applying cutting fluid to the cutting zone precisely. The present investigation is an attempt made to understand the performance of solid lubricant mixed in oil, used as cooling media during machining (turning) process. The work involves of turning EN31 bearing steel using coated carbide tool is studied in three different cutting environment. The cutting process parameters i.e. cutting speed, feed and depth of cut at different levels selected for experiments which were conducted using Box – Behnken design. The impact of use of solid lubricants on the output parameters like surface finish, power consumption and tool wear were analyzed. Experimental results reveals considerable improvements on output parameters using solid lubricant mixed in oil as cooling method as compared to other cutting environments.