An experimental investigation to evaluate the performance of bio-inspired structured tools during machining of AISI 316 L steel

ABSTRACT

Austenitic stainless steel of grade AISI 316 L finds its widespread application in aerospace and automobile industries. However, machining of AISI 316 L poses a significant problem due to its low thermal conductivity leading to higher tool wear and poor surface finish. The development of surface structured cutting tools has proven to be useful technique to tackle problem. Nature has consistently provided beneficial answers to our issues. Therefore, in current study, a comparative evaluation of different geometrical (micro-hexagonal inspired by snake skin, micro-groove texture inspired by Scincus lizard) bio-inspired textured tool on cutting performance of work material has been carried out. The textures were generated on tool’s flank and rake surface of carbide tool. Dry turning experiments were conducted using different geometrical structured tools and unstructured tool at constant feed of 0.08 mm/rev, cutting velocity of 150 m/min and depth of 0.3 mm. It is discovered that out of various texture geometries, the bio-inspired hexagonal structured tool showed improved cutting performances. The hexagonal structured tool reduced tangential force, thrust force, and feed force by 13.42%, 16.61% and 24.55%, respectively, relative to unstructured tool. The hexagonal structured tool machined surface showed minimum average surface roughness of 0.426 μm and a minimum chip reduction coefficient of 1.254.

KEYWORDS:

• Hexagonal structured tool
• AISI 316 L
• turning
• cutting force
• surface roughness
• chip reduction coefficient

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).