Effect of Cutting Conditions on Machinability of Superalloy Inconel 718 During High Speed Turning with Coated and Uncoated PCBN Tools

Inconel 718, an efficient superalloy for energy and aerospace applications, is currently machined with cemented carbide tools at low speed (vc≈60 m/min) due to its unfavorable mechanical and thermal properties. The article presents results of superalloy machinability study with uncoated and coated PCBN tools aiming on increased speed and efficiency. Aspects of tool life, tool wear and surface integrity were studied. It was found that protective function of the coating, increasing tool life up to 20%, is limited to low cutting speed range. EDX and AFM analyses suggested dominance of chemical and abrasive wear mechanisms. Residual stress analysis has shown advantageous compressive surface stresses.