Numerical and experimental assessment of MQL technique combined with LN2 when machining Inconel 718 with ceramic tools
摘要
The eco-friendly hybrid method of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and cryogenic cooling techniques remains indispensable in the machining of hard-to-cut materials. To provide an in-depth analysis of cooling-lubrication mechanisms of cryogenic MQL machining, the computer fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the effects of pressure, flow rate and spraying distance on the spraying characteristics and tool temperature in MQL-assisted turning Inconel 718 has been carried out in this work. Results indicate that pressure significantly influences particle fragmentation and velocity, while an increase in distance causes particle velocity decay, with flow rate changes increasing the diameter of some particles. Thus, variations in pressure and distance notably affect tool surface temperature, whereas flow rate shows almost no distinction. The errors between simulated and experimental temperatures for MQL and CMQL are 6% and 4%, respectively. Additionally, the lowest cutting temperature, cutting force and tool wear were achieved under CMQL due to higher particle velocity, smaller particle diameter and lower particle temperature. Through simulation, the cooling-lubrication mechanism of CMQL can be more clearly elucidated, which plays a critical role in advancing CMQL research.