Evaluation of Tool Wear Characteristics during Machining Ni-Based Super-alloy (Inconel 625) Under Different Lubricating Conditions

Machining of Inconel 625 is associated with large amount of heat generation. This leads to sudden rise in temperature having local plastic deformation, strain hardening, excessive tool wear, results frequent change of tool etc. Excessive tool wear has become one of the most significant concerns by many manufacturing industries as it directly effects intended machining performances. Methods of lubrication play a vital role to the improvement of machining performances, as they significantly impact the control of temperature at the cutting zone hence the tool wear. This paper evaluates and compares the tribological effects, especially tool wear characteristics and chip morphology under frequently practicing lubricating methods (namely dry and wet or flooded lubricating conditions) including MQL with conventional fluid and MQL with nano cutting fluid environments during machining of Inconel 625. Then, respective tool wears and tool morphologies were recorded and analyzed.