Inserts Selection for Intermittent Turning of Magnesium Pieces

Abstract

The present work shows an experimental study for selecting the best tools to use in the intermittent turning of pieces of UNS M11917 magnesium alloy under low performance conditions based on the surface roughness. Namely, two types of tools are considered: one, specific for non-ferrous materials, and the other, for materials usually combined with the magnesium to form hybrid parts such as titanium or steel. In order to carry out this study, a combined design of experiments (DOE) L4x32 is established. Concretely, the factors that are taken into account in the design, in addition to the type of tool, are considered the next ones: depth of cut, feed rate, spindle speed, quantity of lubrication, type of interruption, and measurement zones of the surface roughness in terms of the measurement length and of the measurement generatrix. Obtained data are analysed by means of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. In this case, feed rate is the most influential factor on the variability of surface roughness followed, although at a large distance, by: type of interruption, interaction feed rate-quantity of lubrication, type of tool, quantity of lubrication, interaction type of tool-type of interruption and spindle speed. As conclusion, it is possible to affirm that, in general, the surface roughness is slightly lower when using non-ferrous tools than when using the other types tried.