Effectiveness of synthetic coolant at 0°C on machining of SS304 with PVD coated TiCN tool to evaluate and compare tool wear and surface finish with conventional machining method

ABSTRACT The work-hardening and low thermal conductivity characteristics of SS304 had always been a challenge to machine it easily with better tool life and surface finish. The type of coolant, its temperature and surface coated inserts plays a pivotal role in machining the hard materials. A number of experiments were performed with a TiCN and tungsten carbide inserts in combination with soluble/synthetic coolant at ambient temperature and at 0oC TiCN-coated cemented carbide insert with synthetic coolant at 0°C is recommended for machining as per the results obtained through this research work. It was found that TiCN-coated inserts used for machining SS304 with synthetic coolant at 0°C provide better tool life, less tool wear, improved surface finish and low heat generation. The tool life was enhanced approximately by 75%, 20% reduction in maximum temperature generation and 50% improvement in surface finish of workpiece. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT