Study of performance of Cutting Fluids in Drilling and Tapping

Paper in proceeding, 2008

This study addresses the ranking of cutting fluids performance by means of drilling and tapping experiments on aluminium alloys and alloy steel. The objective of the experiments is to evaluate the functionality of cutting fluid for these machining operations. Tap forming operations were performed on aluminium alloy and tap cutting on alloy steel. Drilling tests were performed on both materials. Seven different fluids were included in the studies. The variable examined for tapping tests was the type of cutting fluid and the response was the torque. The variables examined for drilling experiments included speed, feed, cutting fluid concentration and type of cutting fluid. The responses considered included quantitative measures as drilling torque, thrust force, hole quality, surface finish and built-up edge formation, while the qualitative response interpreted was chip morphology. The results of the studies reveal that the type of cutting fluid and its concentration have effect on resulting torque, thrust force, tool life and surface quality.