Effect of Cutting Fluids on the Flank Wear of High Speed and Carbide Tipped Cutting Tools

The major needs in machining are high material removal rate, good work surface finish and low tool wear. These objectives can be achieved by reducing tool wear using proper cutting fluid during machining. The effect of some cutting fluids namely: Mentholated spirit, paraffin, and soluble oil on the flank wear of High-speed steel and carbide tipped tools by orthogonal cutting has been studied. Cente lathe was used for cylindrical turning operated at a speed of 370rpm and depth of cut of 1mm to machine aluminum, brass, mild steel and medium carbon steel workpiece. It was observed that soluble oil with 20% water concentration gave minimum flank wear among the cutting fluids used. The flank wear were 0.002mm, 0.008mm, 0.009mm and 0.012mm for soluble oils, mentholated spirit, paraffin and dry machining respectively cutting fluid using high speed Steel cutting tool and Aluminum workpiece. For the workpiece, aluminum gave minimum tool flank wear, followed by brass. mild Steel and Medium Carbon Steel respectively. Carbide tipped tool also exhibited better flank wear resistance than High speed steel. Soluble oil gave the minimum flank wear and best surface finish for all workplace and so have the capacity to give a longer tool life when compared with other cutting fluid studied.

Keywords
Flank wear; Cutting fluid; High speed steel; Carbide tipped tool; soluble oil