Comparison of machining performance of microwave post-heated WC insert with dry, wet and MQL cutting in turning operation

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the application of microwave energy to enhance the machining performance of tungsten carbide tool insert in order to reduce the use of cutting fluids. Application of cutting fluids increases the machining costs, which include fluid consumption, maintenance and disposal costs. Health hazards for workers, environmental issues and economic aspects of cutting fluid motivate researchers to move towards coolant-free machining. This study aimed to minimize the dependency on cutting fluid during machining and to suggest a suitable alternative to improve the performance of tungsten carbide tool insert. Microwave post-treatment of tungsten carbide tool insert is the emerging technique in which the tool insert is subjected to microwave irradiation at a frequency of 2.5 GHz. In the present investigation, turning operations have been performed on AISI 1040 steel (American Iron and Steel Institue) using microwave-treated insert under dry cutting environment and untreated insert using dry, w...