Influence of Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticles Mass Concentrations on the Tool Wear Values During Turning of Titanium Alloy under Minimum Quantity Lubrication Conditions

Abstract

Recently, environmental consciousness has led to the quest for ways to minimise negative elements in machining operations that threaten operator health and the environment. Titanium alloys are hard to cut, thus cooling the cutting zone is essential to reduce tool wear. Variations in Al2 O3 nanoparticle concentrations supplied to the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) cutting fluid affect cutting wedge wear during Ti6Al4V alloy turning. A diameter of 15 nm nanoparticles were utilised at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt% mass concentrations. In the experiments, the flank face wear band width VBB and crater width KB were measured. Comparisons were also made using dry-cutting tools and the MQL approach without nanoparticles. X-ray microanalysis was used to quantify and qualitatively assess the chemical composition of chosen rake surface micro-areas. Studies showed that Al2 O3 nanoparticle mass concentration affects tool wear when turning a hard-to-cut alloy. 0.5 and 0.75 wt% mass concentrations had the lowest flank and rake wear of the four mass concentrations. The SEM examination showed that 0.5 wt% mass concentration decreased adhesive wear the most.