Effect of tool coating materials on surface roughness in micromachining of Inconel 718 super alloy

Surface roughness is an important parameter that determines the post-manufacturing product quality. In this study, effect of cutting parameters, coating material and the built-up edge phenomenon on the surface roughness were investigated in micro end milling process of Inconel 718 using a white light interferometer and scanning electron microscopy. A micro end mill with a diameter of 768 µm coated with five separate coating materials (AlTiN, AlCrN, TiAlN + AlCrN, TiAlN + WC/C and diamond-like carbon) was used in this study. According to the results obtained, mean surface roughness values of surfaces machined with a diamond-like carbon-coated and AlTiN-coated cutting tool were lower than for other coatings. However, surface roughness values of surfaces obtained with tools coated with TiAlN + AlCrN and AlCrN were higher. Specifically, the formation of built-up edge causes chips to be smeared on machined surfaces, which has a negative impact on the surface quality. As can be expected, wear occurs faster on u...