Dry Machining of Inconel 713LC: Surface Integrity and Force Response to Cutting Conditions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Inconel 718 machining is well-researched, but its cast form, Inconel 713LC, used in high-temperature applications, is less understood.
• Cast superalloys like Inconel 713LC are critical for aerospace and energy sectors, demanding efficient and reliable manufacturing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively investigate the dry milling behavior of Inconel 713LC.
• To identify optimal cutting parameters for balancing tool wear, cutting forces, surface integrity, and chip formation.
• To establish predictive models for tool life and cutting forces in cast superalloy machining.

Main Methods:

• Experimental dry milling of Inconel 713LC across a wide range of cutting speeds and feed rates.
• Analysis of tool wear (flank wear), cutting forces, surface roughness (Ra), and chip morphology.
• Validation of predictive models for tool life and cutting forces.

Main Results:

• A stable process window was identified: 30-50 m/min cutting speed and 0.045-0.07 mm/tooth feed.
• Within this window, surface roughness stayed below Ra 0.6 µm and tool life exceeded 10 minutes.
• Deviations led to rapid degradation, flank wear > 550 µm, and unstable chip formation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a foundation for optimizing dry machining of cast Inconel 713LC.
• Observed trends in Inconel 713LC align with Inconel 718, suggesting potential transfer of machining strategies.
• Results promote sustainable manufacturing by reducing fluid use while maintaining component integrity.