An experimental study on cutting forces and surface roughness in MQL milling of aluminum 6061

Abstract

The minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and dry machining operations are two types of environmentally friendly processes that have potentials to replace with conventional cooling methods. In recent years, the studies have been performed on the environmentfriendly lubrication methods such as MQL method in machining operations. These studies have also focused on the usage of vegetable cutting fluids instead of mineral based oils due to increasing awareness to the environment and human health. In this experimental study, Aluminum 6061 was machined under dry and MQL conditions and the cutting force components and surface roughness values were measured. The experiments were carried out by CNC milling machine tool at three different cutting speeds and constant depth of cut and feed. The vegetable cutting fluid was pulverized to the rake face by using single nozzle and double nozzles at two flow rates during MQL milling. Cutting force components and surface roughness values were compared for minimum quantity lubrication and dry milling operations of Aluminum 6061.