Residual stress and surface roughness when facing age hardened Inconel 718 with CBN and ceramic cutting tools

The demand for increasing productivity when machining heat resistant super alloys has resulted in the use of advanced cutting tools such as ceramics and cubic boron nitride (CBN). However, the effects of these tools on the surface integrity, especially the residual stresses created, in the high speed facing operation of Inconel 718 has not been dealt with. In this paper, the residual stresses and the surface roughness when facing age hardened Inconel 718 using CBN and mixed ceramic cutting tools at their respective optimum performance based on productivity has been investigated. The residual stress and surface finish generated during facing with CBN cutting tools have been investigated as a function of speed, depth of cut, coolant, tool geometry and nature of the tool coating. In addition, mixed ceramic cutting tools have been investigated for comparison. The results show that mixed ceramic cutting tools induce tensile residual stresses with a much higher magnitude than CBN cutting tools. The residual stresses and the surface roughness generated by CBN cutting tools are more sensitive to cutting speeds than depth of cut. The use of coolant results in either compressive residual stresses or lowers the magnitude of the tensile residual stresses, whereas dry cutting always resulted in tensile residual stresses. From this investigation, it is suggested that round CBN cutting tools should be used at slow cutting speeds (150 m/min) and small depths of cut (0.05 mm) and with the use of coolant to achieve compressive or minimal tensile residual stresses and good surface finish.     

The influence of cutter orientation and workpiece angle on machinability when high-speed milling Inconel 718 under finishing conditions

The paper details results from a comprehensive series of experiments on the effects of key operating variables; cutter orientation and workpiece tilt angle, on tool life/length cut, cutting force, workpiece surface roughness (R_a), subsurface microstructure/microhardness and residual stress, when high-speed milling under finishing conditions. In terms of length cut, the 8 mm diameter coated (TiAlCrN multi-layer) carbide ball nose end mills achieved tool life values approaching 200 m. Life results for the horizontal downwards orientation when cutting with a workpiece tilt angle of 45° were similar to those when operating with the workpiece mounted horizontally, however, cutting forces were significantly higher in the latter case. Evidence of tool chatter was also observed from cutting force signatures with the horizontal upwards mode. Mean compressive surface residual stresses up to −850 MPa measured parallel to the feed direction were obtained when machining using worn tools with a 0° workpiece inclination, while tensile stresses were obtained when machining with horizontal downwards orientation.     

Dry machining of Inconel 718, workpiece surface integrity

In the machining of Inconel 718, nickel based heat resistant superalloy and classified difficult-to-cut material, the consumption of cooling lubricant is very important. To reduce the costs of production and to make the processes environmentally safe, the goal is to move toward dry cutting by eliminating cutting fluids. This goal can be achieved by using coated carbide tool and by increasing cutting speed.The present paper firstly reviews the main works on surface integrity and especially residual stresses when machining Inconel 718 superalloy. It focuses then on the effect of dry machining on surface integrity. Wet and dry turning tests were performed at various cutting speeds, with semi-finishing conditions (0.5 mm depth of cut and 0.1 mm/rev feed rate) and using a coated carbide tool. For each cutting test, cutting force was measured, machined surface was observed, and residual stress profiles were determined. An optimal cutting speed of 60 m/min was determined, and additional measurements and observations were performed. Microhardness increment and the microstructure alteration beneath the machined surface were analysed. It is demonstrated that dry machining with a coated carbide tool leads to potentially acceptable surface quality with residual stresses and microhardness values in the machining affected zone of the same order than those obtained in wet conditions when using the optimised cutting speed value; in addition, no severe microstructure alteration was depicted.     

The effect on fatigue life of residual stress and surface hardness resulting from different cutting conditions of 0.45%C steel

The affected layer is generated within the machined surface layer through the cutting process. Cutting conditions such as the nose radius of the tool, feed rate and shape of cutting edge at the finishing operation affect the residual stress, surface hardness, and surface roughness. In this paper, it is shown that such machined surface property could be controlled by the setting of the cutting conditions to some extent. Then the effect of the machining conditions on the fatigue life was investigated through a fatigue test using the specimen finished under various cutting conditions. It was shown that it is possible to get longer fatigue life for machined parts than the virgin material or the carefully finished material without affected layer, only by setting the proper cutting conditions. Such a situation was realized when the generated residual stress was small and the induced surface hardness was high. A longer fatigue life for the machined components can be obtained by applying such cutting conditions as a low feed rate, a small corner radius and a chamfered cutting edge tool.     

Surface integrity generated by oblique machining of steel and iron parts

In this study the surface integrity produced by oblique turning of a range of iron-based materials including C45 carbon, 41Cr4 low-alloy hardened, X6CrNiTi18-10 stainless steels and EN-GJS-500-7 spheroidal iron was quantified by means of 2D and 3D surface roughness parameters, strain-hardening effects and associated residual stresses. Surfaces were produced by a special straight-edged cutting tool with large inclination angle of 55° equipped with carbide and mixed Al₂O₃–TiC ceramic cutting tool inserts. It was documented that oblique machining performed with relatively higher feed rate allows obtaining lower surface roughness and, in general, better bearing characteristics. Moreover, compressive stresses with the maximum value located close to the machined surface and parabolic profile can be induced into the surface layer. The magnitude of stresses depends on the strain-hardening rate of the surface layer.     

Effect of machining parameters and cutting edge geometry on surface integrity of high-speed turned Inconel 718

Stringent control on the quality of machined surface and sub-surface during high-speed machining of Inconel 718 is necessary so as to achieve components with greater reliability and longevity. This paper extends the present trend prevailing in the literature on surface integrity analysis of superalloys by performing a comprehensive investigation to analyze the nature of deformation beneath the machined surface and arrive at the thickness of machining affected zone (MAZ). The residual stress analysis, microhardness measurements and degree of work hardening in the machined sub-surfaces were used as criteria to obtain the optimum machining conditions that give machined surfaces with high integrity. It is observed that the highest cutting speed, the lowest feedrate, and the moderate depth of cut coupled with the use of honed cutting edge can ensure induction of compressive residual stresses in the machined surfaces, which in turn were found to be free of smeared areas and adhered chip particles.     

Analysis of residual stresses induced by dry turning of difficult-to-machine materials

Critical issues in machining of difficult-to-cut materials are often associated with short tool-life and poor surface integrity, where the resulting tensile residual stresses on the machined surface significantly affect the component's fatigue life. This study presents the influence of cutting process parameters on machining performance and surface integrity generated during dry turning of Inconel 718 and austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L with coated and uncoated carbide tools. A three-dimensional Finite Element Model was also developed and the predicted results were compared with those measured.     

Machinability of hardened steel using alumina based ceramic cutting tools

Alumina based ceramic cutting tool is an attractive alternative for carbide tools in the machining of steel in its hardened condition. These ceramic cutting tools can machine with high cutting speed and produce good surface finish. The wear mechanism of these ceramic cutting tools should be properly understood for greater utilization. Two types of ceramic cutting tools namely Ti[C,N] mixed alumina ceramic cutting tool and zirconia toughened alumina ceramic cutting tool are used for our investigation. The machinability of hardened steel was evaluated by measurements of tool wear, cutting forces and surface finish of the work piece. These alumina based ceramic cutting tool materials produce good surface finish in the machining of hardened steel. In this paper an attempt is made to analyse the important wear mechanisms like abrasive wear, adhesive wear and diffusion wear of these ceramic cutting tool materials and the performance of these ceramic cutting tools related to the surface finish is also discussed here.     

Prediction of the cutting conditions giving plastic deformation of the tool in oblique machining

A method is described for predicting cutting conditions at which the cutting edge starts to deform plastically when machining with oblique nose radius tools. It is shown how tool stresses and temperatures determined from machining theory can be used together with experimental high temperature compressive strength data for the tool material to make these predictions. A comparison made between predicted and experimental results for two plain carbon steel work materials and a range of cutting conditions shows good agreement.     

An experimental and numerical study on the face milling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy: Tool performance and surface integrity

This paper is concerned with the experimental and numerical study of face milling of Ti-6Al-4 V titanium alloy. Machining is carried out by uncoated carbide cutters in the presence of an abundant supply of coolant. Experimental analysis is conducted by focusing on the measurement of specific cutting energy, surface integrity and tool performance. The experimental analysis is supplemented by simulations from a 3D finite element model (FEM) of face milling simulation where needed. A tool wear model parameterized from FEM predictions of the tool-chip interface temperature, contact stress and chip velocity is presented. Tool wear patterns are described in terms of various cutting conditions and the influence of tool wear on surface integrity is investigated. Tool wear predictions based on the 3D FEM simulation show good agreement with experimental tool wear measurements. The highest cutting speed realized for the cutting tool material is 182.9 m/min (600 sfpm). Good surface integrity in terms of favorable residual stress and surface finish is achieved under the machining conditions used with limited tool wear. Residual stresses imparted to the machined surface are shown to be compressive.     

Cutting conditions for finish turning process aiming: the use of dry cutting

To avoid the use of cutting fluids in machining operations is one goal that has been searched for by many people in industrial companies, due to ecological and human health problems caused by the cutting fluid. However, cutting fluids still provide a longer tool life for many machining operations. This is the case of the turning operation of steel using coated carbide inserts. Therefore, the objective of this work is to find cutting conditions more suitable for dry cutting, i.e., conditions which make tool life in dry cutting, closer to that obtained with cutting with fluid, without damaging the workpiece surface roughness and without increasing cutting power consumed by the process. To reach these goals several finish turning experiments were carried out, varying cutting speed, feed and tool nose radius, with and without the use of cutting fluid. The main conclusion of this work was that to remove the fluid from a finish turning process, without harming tool life and cutting time and improving surface roughness and power consumed, it is necessary to increase feed and tool nose radius and decrease cutting speed.     

Process design space for optimal surface integrity in finish hard milling of tool steel

Hard milling has the potential to replace finish grinding in manufacturing dies and molds. A significant impediment for wide-spread application of hard milling is the lack of understanding and control on the surface integrity of machined surface and subsurface. In this study, a Taguchi design-of-experiment based dry finish milling of AISI H13 tool steel (50?±?1?HRc) with (Ti, Al) N/TiN coated cutting tools was conducted to investigate the process-induced surface integrity. The mechanism of surface integrity in hard milling was investigated to understand the effects of mechanical/thermal loads on surface microstructure and properties. The microstructure, microhardness and residual stresses were characterized. Phase transformation was not observed under the process parameters, while the increased microhardness and high compressive residual stresses obtained are beneficial for improving fatigue properties and wear resistance of the machined components. Finally, the process design space for the desired surface properties has been established via the microhardness and residual stress maps.     

The effect of tool nose radius in ultrasonic vibration cutting of hard metal

A tool edge with a small nose radius can alleviate the regenerative chatter. In general, it is important for conventional cutting to use the smallest possible tool nose radius. However, a sharp tool shape has an adverse effect on tool strength and the instability of machining process still occurs. Previous researches have shown that vibration cutting has a higher cutting stability as compared with conventional cutting. In the present paper, the influence of tool nose radius on cutting characteristics including chatter vibration, cutting force and surface roughness is investigated by theory. It is found from the theoretical investigation that a steady vibration created by motion between the tool and the workpiece is still obtained even using a large nose radius in vibration cutting. This article presents a vibration cutting method using a large nose radius in order to solve chatter vibration and tool strength problem in hard-cutting. With a suitable nose radius size, experimental results show that a stable and a precise surface finish is achieved.     

涂层刀具微喷砂表面处理技术的进展

介绍了微喷砂表面处理技术进展及工作原理,分析了微喷砂处理对涂层刀具表面完整性、切削性能的影响。研究发现,微喷砂能够改善涂层刀具表面的粗糙度并提高涂层表面的残余压应力,进而提升刀具的切削性能并延长使用寿命。总结了微喷砂表面处理技术对涂层刀具表面的影响,并且对微喷砂表面处理技术进行了展望。研究结果为涂层刀具的表面处理和绿色智能制造提供了参考。     

Modelling the effects of tool-edge radius on residual stresses when orthogonal cutting AISI 316L

Tool-edge geometry has significant effects on the cutting process, as it affects cutting forces, stresses, temperatures, deformation zone, and surface integrity. An Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (A.L.E.) finite element model is presented here to simulate the effects of cutting-edge radius on residual stresses (R.S.) when orthogonal dry cutting austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L with continuous chip formation. Four radii were simulated starting with a sharp edge, with a finite radius, and up to a value equal to the uncut chip thickness. Residual stress profiles started with surface tensile stresses then turned to be compressive at about 140 μm from the surface; the same trend was found experimentally. Larger edge radius induced higher R.S. in both the tensile and compressive regions, while it had almost no effect on the thickness of tensile layer and pushed the maximum compressive stresses deeper into the workpiece. A stagnation zone was clearly observed when using non-sharp tools and its size increased with edge radius. The distance between the stagnation-zone tip and the machined surface increased with edge radius, which explained the increase in material plastic deformation, and compressive R.S. when using larger edge radius. Workpiece temperatures increased with edge radius; this is attributed to the increase in friction heat generation as the contact area between the tool edge and workpiece increases. Consequently, higher tensile R.S. were induced in the near-surface layer. The low thermal conductivity of AISI 316L restricted the effect of friction heat to the near-surface layer; therefore, the thickness of tensile layer was not affected.     

A study on the effect of tool nose radius in ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting of tungsten carbide

Nowadays, ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) technique is being successfully applied for ultraprecision machining of difficult-to-cut materials. Previous study reported that the tool geometry especially tool nose radius notably influences the performance of 1D ultrasonic vibration cutting (UVC). However, the effect of tool nose radius in the UEVC technique is yet to be studied. This study aims to investigate the effects of tool nose radius on the UEVC performance in terms of cutting force, tool wear and surface finish when machining a hard-to-cut material, sintered tungsten carbide (WC), using PCD tools. The experimental results show that the UEVC technique performs remarkably better in all aspects at a 0.6 mm nose radius compared to a lower (e.g. 0.2 or 0.4 mm) and a higher nose radius (e.g. 0.8 mm). When machining about 412 mm² surface area, an average surface roughness, R_a of 0.010 μm is achieved with a 0.6 mm nose radius. Analyses are conducted to justify the findings in this study.     

Effect of tool nose radius and tool wear on residual stress distribution in hard turning of bearing steel

This study presents a experimental investigation to clarify the effects of tool nose radius and tool wear on residual stress distribution in hard turning of bearing steel JIS SUJ2. Three types of CBN tools with different nose radius (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mm) were used in this study. The residual stresses beneath the machined surface were measured using X-ray diffraction technique and electro-polishing technique. The results obtained in this study show that the tool nose radius affects the residual stress distribution significantly. Especially the effect on the residual stresses at the machined surface at early stage of cutting process is remarkable. For the tool wear, as the tool wear increases, the residual stress at the machined surface shifts to tensile stress range and the residual compressive stress beneath the machined surface increases greatly.     

Nose radius oblique tool: Cutting force and built-up edge prediction

A semi-empirical machining theory is described for predicting cutting forces and temperatures for oblique nose radius tools from cutting conditions and a knowledge of work material flow stress and thermal properties. By defining an equivalent cutting edge based on the chip flow direction, predictions are made for different cutting conditions and tool geometries (nose radii and rake angles in particular). It is shown how the cutting conditions giving a built-up edge can be determined from the predicted temperatures. For finishing conditions a comparison between predicted and experimental results is made and this shows good agreement.     

Effects of Edge Preparation and Feed when Hard Turning a Hot Work Die Steel with Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride Tools

Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) is usually employed in hard turning. Selection of optimum edge preparation is machining parameter dependent. This paper investigates the effects of edge preparation and feed on tool life and workpiece residual stresses. An Arbitrary Lagrangian and Eulerian (ALE) finite element model was used to explain tool wear rate and residual stress profile. Experimental results showed that honed edges could be employed for hard turning when tensile principal stresses in the tool were maintained at a low magnitude. Chamfered edges produced less compressive residual stresses on the surface. However, away from the machined surface, compressive residual stresses penetrate deeper into the workpiece.     

纤维油石在超声波抛光中的应用

（树脂结合剂陶瓷）纤维油石是我们国家磨具的一个新品种,被广泛应用于超声波抛光中,它适合对硬质合金、钢模具进行地粗、半精磨削,尤其适用于磨削模具的边缘、曲面及圆弧面;选择纤维油石的尺寸和性能取决于工件的材质、磨削效率、工件的表面粗糙度、磨料粒度和磨削液的品种等。