The Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Based Nanofluid on Milling Performance: An Investigation of Dillimax 690T

Abstract

Machining high-strength structural steels often requires challenging processes. It is essential to improve the machinability of such materials, which are frequently needed in industrial manufacturing areas. Recently, it has become necessary to enhance the machinability of such materials using different nanopowders. In this study, different cooling/lubricating (C/L) liquids were prepared with cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanopowder. The aim was to improve the machinability properties of Dillimax 690T material with the prepared CNC-based cutting fluids. CNC nanopowders were added to 0.5% distilled water by volume, and a new nanofluid was produced. Unlike previous studies, base synthetic oil and CNC-based cutting fluid were sprayed on the cutting area with a double minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) system. Machinability tests were carried out by milling. Two different cutting speeds (Vc = 120–150 m/min), two different feed rates (f = 0.05–0.075 mm/tooth), and four different C/L environments (dry, MQL oil, CNC nanofluid, MQL oil + CNC nanofluid) were used in the experiments. In the study, where a total of 16 experiments were performed, cutting temperature (Tc), surface roughness (Ra), tool wear (Vb), and energy consumption results were analyzed in detail. According to the test results, significant improvements were achieved in the machinability properties of the material in the experiments carried out using CNC nanofluid. In particular, the hybrid C/L environment using MQL oil + CNC nanofluid improved all machinability metrics by over 15% compared to dry machining. In short, using CNC nanopowders offers a good milling process of Dillimax 690T material with effective lubrication and cooling ability.