Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617
Inconel 617 is a nickel-based superalloy that is a primary candidate for use in next-generation nuclear applications such as the Gen IV Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) due to its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength in elevated temperatures. However...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Rachel Lai Andres Hurtado Carreon Jose M. DePaiva Stephen C. Veldhuis |
| author_facet | Rachel Lai Andres Hurtado Carreon Jose M. DePaiva Stephen C. Veldhuis |
| author_sort | Rachel Lai |
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| description | Inconel 617 is a nickel-based superalloy that is a primary candidate for use in next-generation nuclear applications such as the Gen IV Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) due to its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength in elevated temperatures. However, Inconel 617 machinability is poor due to its hardness and tendency to work harden during manufacturing. While the machinability of its sister grade, Inconel 718, has been widely studied and understood due to its applications in aerospace, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the behaviour of Inconel 617 in machining. To address this gap, this paper investigates the influence of cutting parameters in the turning of Inconel 617 and compares the impact of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) turning against conventional coolant. This investigation was performed through three distinct studies: Study A compared the performance of commercial coatings, Study B investigated the influence of cutting parameters on the surface finish, and Study C compared the performance of MQL to flood coolant. This work demonstrated that AlTiN coatings performed the best and doubled the tool life of a standard tungsten carbide insert compared to its uncoated form. Additionally, the feed rate had the largest impact on the surface roughness, especially at high feeds, with the best surface quality found at the lowest feed rate of 0.075 mm/rev. The utilization of MQL had mixed results compared to a conventional flood coolant in the machining of Inconel 617. Surface finish was improved as high as 47% under MQL conditions compared to the flood coolant; however, work hardening at the surface was also shown to increase by 10–20%. Understanding this, it is possible that MQL can completely remove the need for a conventional coolant in the machining of Inconel 617 components for the manufacturing of next-generation reactors. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d050f8e5013f4fffb9c856b914ce1dbb2025-08-20T02:23:06ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511586910.3390/app15115869Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617Rachel Lai0Andres Hurtado Carreon1Jose M. DePaiva2Stephen C. Veldhuis3McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 230 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A6, CanadaMcMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 230 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A6, CanadaMcMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 230 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A6, CanadaMcMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 230 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A6, CanadaInconel 617 is a nickel-based superalloy that is a primary candidate for use in next-generation nuclear applications such as the Gen IV Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) due to its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength in elevated temperatures. However, Inconel 617 machinability is poor due to its hardness and tendency to work harden during manufacturing. While the machinability of its sister grade, Inconel 718, has been widely studied and understood due to its applications in aerospace, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the behaviour of Inconel 617 in machining. To address this gap, this paper investigates the influence of cutting parameters in the turning of Inconel 617 and compares the impact of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) turning against conventional coolant. This investigation was performed through three distinct studies: Study A compared the performance of commercial coatings, Study B investigated the influence of cutting parameters on the surface finish, and Study C compared the performance of MQL to flood coolant. This work demonstrated that AlTiN coatings performed the best and doubled the tool life of a standard tungsten carbide insert compared to its uncoated form. Additionally, the feed rate had the largest impact on the surface roughness, especially at high feeds, with the best surface quality found at the lowest feed rate of 0.075 mm/rev. The utilization of MQL had mixed results compared to a conventional flood coolant in the machining of Inconel 617. Surface finish was improved as high as 47% under MQL conditions compared to the flood coolant; however, work hardening at the surface was also shown to increase by 10–20%. Understanding this, it is possible that MQL can completely remove the need for a conventional coolant in the machining of Inconel 617 components for the manufacturing of next-generation reactors.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5869Inconel 617MQLmachining performancetool wearcoated carbide tools |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Lai Andres Hurtado Carreon Jose M. DePaiva Stephen C. Veldhuis Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 Applied Sciences Inconel 617 MQL machining performance tool wear coated carbide tools |
| title | Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 |
| title_full | Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 |
| title_short | Influence of Cutting Parameters and MQL on Surface Finish and Work Hardening of Inconel 617 |
| title_sort | influence of cutting parameters and mql on surface finish and work hardening of inconel 617 |
| topic | Inconel 617 MQL machining performance tool wear coated carbide tools |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5869 |
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