An Investigation of the Effects of Cutting Edge Geometry and Cooling/Lubrication on Surface Integrity in Machining of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

This investigation sought to characterize the combined influence of cutting-edge microgeometry and cooling/lubricating strategies on process thermo-mechanics and the resultant surface integrity in orthogonal machining of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Reverse waterfall cutting inserts were prepared with varying cutting-edge geometries, and machining experiments were conducted under cryogenic cooling with liquid nitrogen (LN₂), minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), and dry machining conditions, using constant machining parameters. The induced surface integrity was characterized in terms of the developed cutting forces and through-thickness microhardness, grain morphology, dislocation generation, and residual stress formation. The experimental results revealed that the governing process physics are strongly influenced by variation in the implemented machining parameters. As a greater proportion of the cutting edge is distributed on the flank face, competing mechanical ploughing and thermal-based frictional effects both become more pronounced. Utilization of advanced cooling strategies to control cutting interface thermal gradients thus provides a processing route to generate tailored microstructures and surface integrity during the machining of this alloy.