Experimental investigation on the performance of nanoboric acid suspensions in SAE-40 and coconut oil during turning of AISI 1040 steel

Machining is one of the most fundamental and indispensable processes in manufacturing industry. The heat generated in the cutting zone during machining is critical in deciding the workpiece quality. Though cutting fluids are widely employed to carry away the heat in machining, their usage poses threat to ecology and the health of workers. Hence, there arises a need to identify eco-friendly and user-friendly alternatives to conventional cutting fluids. The present work features a specific study on the application of nanosolid lubricant suspensions in lubricating oil in turning of AISI 1040 steel with carbide tool. SAE-40 and coconut oil are taken as base lubricants and boric acid solid lubricant of 50 nm particle size as suspensions. Variation of cutting tool temperatures, average tool flank wear and the surface roughness of the machined surface with cutting speed and feed are studied with nanosolid lubricant suspensions in lubricating oil.