Micro-machinability of A-286 Steel with and without Laser Assist

Machinability of high nickel content steels (e.g. stainless) is known to be challenging. This paper presents an experimental study of the micro-machinability of A-286 (∼43 HRC), a precipitation-hardened high nickel content steel. Micro milling experiments are carried out under dry, wet, and laser-assisted conditions, and the resulting surface morphology, burr, part feature depth, tool wear, and cutting forces are analyzed. It is found that laser-assist consistently yields the best results characterized by minimal chip adhesion to the workpiece surface, low cutting forces, good feature depth accuracy, low tool wear, and acceptable burrs.