Experimental Evaluation of Turning AISI 304 Using Minimum Quantity Lubrication With Vegetable-Based Green Cutting Fluids

Abstract

Cutting fluids play a crucial role in dissipating the heat generated during machining operations, contributing to improved service life and machinability of tools and workpieces. Even though commercially available conventional cutting fluids are effective in serving their intended roles during the machining process, they are non-biodegradable. Previous researchers have introduced a variety of environmentally friendly alternatives, among which green cutting fluids stand out due to their biodegradability and availability. The present study focuses on a comparative assessment of the machining performance of green cutting fluids, made from oil-water emulsions derived from coconut oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil, with a conventional cutting fluid (MAK Sherol B) during the turning operation of AISI 304 stainless steel. Tween 20 is used as the emulsifying agent for preparing oil-water emulsion. The machining performance was investigated by examining the impact of these cutting fluids on cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut on tool tip interface temperature, surface roughness, and cutting force during the turning process. Surface roughness values are determined using surface profilometry and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that palm oil has rendered the lowest cutting force and cutting temperature with improved surface quality under higher feed rates, cutting speeds, and depths of cut as compared with sunflower oil, coconut oil, and conventional cutting fluid.