Influence of the mechanochemical effect induced by graphene chemical adsorption on dislocation motion during Inconel 718 machining
摘要
Surface-active thermal conductive media (SACM), as surfactants with high thermal conductivity, can effectively reduce cutting forces and temperatures during machining, thereby improving material machinability. In our previous studies, compared with conventional cutting without SACM, the application of SACM reduced cutting force by 11% and surface roughness by 23% in Inconel 718 machining. However, the mechanochemical effects induced by SACM chemical adsorption and their influence on dislocation motion have not been fully revealed. This study first evaluates, using first-principles calculations, the chemical adsorption energy of different SACM polar groups (-CHOCH, -CH₃, -OH and -COOH) on the workpiece surface; the calculated values are − 2.41, -2.52, -2.93 and − 3.24 eV, respectively. SACMs containing carboxyl groups exhibit the strongest adsorption, which in turn alters surface energy and the mechanism of dislocation motion during cutting. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of chips and shear bands reveal that chips influenced by graphene surface-active thermal conductive media (GR-SACM) show increased dislocation clustering and dislocation-slip-dominated motion. A significant reduction in interplanar spacing (about 6.9%) is also observed, facilitating electron transitions and enhancing inter-atomic interactions, thereby increasing thermal conductivity. These findings explain the improved machinability when GR-SACM is used in the cutting process.