Steam as coolant and lubricant in turning of metal matrix composites

Green cutting has become focus of attention in ecological and environmental protection. Steam is cheap, pollution-free and eco-friendly, and then is a good and economical coolant and lubricant. Steam generator and steam feeding system were developed to generate and feed steam. Comparative experiments were carried out in cutting AA6061-15 vol.% SiC (25 μm particle size), with cubic boron nitride (CBN) insert KB-90 grade under the conditions of compressed air, oil water emulsion, steam as coolant and lubricant, and dry cutting, respectively. The experimental results show that, with steam as coolant and lubricant, gradual reduction in the cutting force, friction coefficient, surface roughness and cutting temperature values were observed. Further, there was reduction in built up edge formation. It is proved that use of water steam as coolant and lubricant is environmentally friendly.