Processing Characteristics of Different Vegetable Oil-based Nanofluid MQL for Grinding of Ni-Cr Alloy

ABSTRACT

Machining of hard materials generates high temperature in the cutting zone. Lubricants play an important role in the reduction of temperature in the cutting zone, thereby producing cooling and lubricating effects. Effective lubrication enhances the tool life thereby reducing the machining cost. Conventional lubricants are mineral-based oils that are non-biodegradable. Industries are focusing to reduce the consumption of these oils by exploring different alternatives. Dry grinding and Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) technique are the alternatives of focus. Dry machining has limitations in hard to machine materials due to a steep rise in temperature. Thus, MQL is an alternative that can be applied to the machining to achieve the desired objective of lubrication and cooling. In the present work, nano-particles based nanofluids were prepared by dispersing 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% CuO nano-particles in the vegetable oils to grind Ni-Cr alloy. Surface roughness, G-ratio and Grinding Energy were evaluated under different conditions of lubrication. Due to high-pressure mist of MQL and rolling effects of nano-particles at the wheel and workpiece interface, there is significantly reduction in values of surface roughness, temperature, grinding energy with enhanced G-ratio comparatively to flood lubrication. Moreover, biodegradable oil-based Nanofluid MQL serves the purpose of environment-friendly machining.

KEYWORDS:

• MQL
• nanofluid
• cuo
• lubricants
• grinding

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.