Comparison of Dry and Wet End Milling of AISI 316 Stainless Steel

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of dry and wet cutting during end milling of AISI 316 stainless steel. The milling experiments were carried out at two stages. First stage was conducted at a constant feed rate of 0.25 mm/rev, depth of cut of 0.3 mm, and varying cutting speeds of 100, 150, and 200 m/min. Second stage was conducted at a constant cutting speed of 200 m/min, depth of cut of 0.3 mm, and varying feed rates of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm/rev. The experiments were conducted to compare the tool wear, milling force components and surface roughness under various operating conditions. The progress of the tool wear was analysed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cutting edge. The results obtained from the experimental studies have confirmed that the presence of semisynthetic cutting fluid has negative impact in milling of AISI 316. The catastrophic failure of cutting tool in wet milling may be due to the intense thermal stress caused by the application of semisynthetic cutting fluid.

Keywords:

• Cutting force
• End milling
• Surface roughness
• Tool wear