Environmentally-Friendly Nano-fluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Meso-scale Grinding Process Using Nano-diamond Particles

Abstract

To reduce environmental loads caused by full usage of cutting fluids, nano-fluids, mixtures of nano-scale particles and base fluids, have recently been applied to mechanical machining processes with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) approach. This paper discusses the characteristics of nano-fluid MQL meso-scale grinding process in the miniaturized machine tool system that can significantly save energy and cost. Nano-diamond particles and paraffin oil are used for nano-fluid, and a series of nano-fluid MQL meso-scale grinding experiments are carried out. The experimental results show that nano-fluid MQL approach can significantly reduce grinding forces and surface roughness when compared with dry and pure MQL cases. In addition, smaller nano-diamond particles can be more beneficial to produce better ground surfaces.