An analysis of the residual stresses generated in Inconel 718™ when turning

Inconel 718 is one of a family of nickel based superalloys that are used extensively by the aerospace industry in the hot sections of gas turbine engines. The literature detailing the effects of varying operating parameters on tool life when machining nickel based superalloys is comprehensive, however, relatively little of this data refers to their effects on machined workpiece surface integrity and residual stress generation. Greater knowledge of the effects of operating parameters on surface integrity is critical to the acceptance of new cutting tool materials, tool geometries and strategies. The paper initially reviews prior work on the surface integrity achieved when turning Inconel 718. Following on from this a series of experiments evaluating the effects of varying cutting tool material, geometry, wear level and operating parameters are detailed. The results show that the largest influence on surface integrity was tool wear. Cutting with a worn tool resulted in greater microstructural deformation, microhardness changes and high surface tensile stresses. High tensile stresses were also formed in the surface layer when cutting with a coated tool, while cutting with an uncoated tungsten carbide insert at the same operating parameters produced deep compressive stresses beneath a reduced tensile layer.