INVESTIGATION ON TOOL LIFE AND HOLE QUALITY OF INCONEL 718 IN DRILLING OPERATION USING LN2 AS COOLANT

Abstract

The main focus of the research was to investigate the process of machining Inconel 718 alloy using a Tungsten Carbide tool with a diameter of 6mm. Inconel 718 is a challenging material to machine due to its hardness and low thermal conductivity. The research aimed to enhance the quality of the hole surface while drilling Inconel 718. To achieve this, experiments were conducted using a Carbide tool under different cutting speeds, with both dry and cryogenic cooling conditions. The quality of the hole surface was then evaluated using SEM images and compared between the two conditions. The cutting speeds used in the experiments were 700rpm, 900rpm, and 1100rpm.The results of the experiments revealed that drilling Inconel 718 under dry conditions produced poor surface quality due to the generation of heat during the process. On the other hand, drilling under cryogenic conditions resulted in better hole surface quality. Additionally, the thrust force during drilling was greater under cryogenic conditions compared to dry conditions. These findings suggest that cryogenic cooling can be a useful method for enhancing the hole surface quality when drilling Inconel 718, and this method can be applied in industrial settings to improve the efficiency of the machining process.