High Speed Cutting Inconel 718 with Coated Carbide and Ceramic Inserts

High speed machining (HSM) technology is one of important aspects of advanced manufacturing technology. Nickel-based superalloys have been widely used in the aircraft and nuclear industry due to their exceptional thermal resistance and the ability to retain mechanical properties at elevated temperatures of service environment over 700 ℃. However, they are classified as difficult-to-cut materials due to their high shear strength, work hardening tendency, highly abrasive carbide particles in the microstructure, strong tendency to weld and form built-up edge and low thermal conductivity. They have a tendency to maintain their strength at high temperature that is generated during machining. The Inconel 718 workpiece material used in the experiment was in the hot forged and annealed condition. The commercially available inserts (all inserts were made by Kennametal Inc.) were selected for the tests, a PVD TiAlN coated carbide, a CVD/PVD TiN/TiCN/TiN coated carbide and a CVD Al 2O 3/TiC/TiCN coated carbide were used at the cutting speed range about 50～100 m/min. Three kinds Sialon grade inserts with various geometry and cutting angles were used at the cutting speed range from 100 m/min to 300 m/min. For evaluating the inserts machinability when high speed cutting Inconel 718, Taylor Formula within certain cutting speeds, an high speed cutting experiment of tool life was carried out to establish the models of tool life by means of rapid facing turning test. The conclusions drawn from the turning of Inconel 718 with silicon nitride based ceramic; PVD and CVD coated carbide inserts are as follows: Studies on tool wear in high speed machining. The thorough investigations and studies were made on the tool wear form, wear process and wear mechanism in high speed cutting of difficult-to-machine materials with ceramic tools and with coated carbides. The major wear mechanisms of nickel-based alloys are interactions of abrasive wear, adhesion wear, micro-breakout and chipping. Optimization analysis on the application of high speed machining. Based on the experimental results, the optimal cutting parameters were determined for machining of Inconel 718 at high speed. The recommendation of tool inserts for high speed cutting inconel 718 were ceramic inserts of KY2000 with negative rake angle and KY2100 with round type, the PVD coated carbide insert KC7310 was recommended for its lower price.

High speed machining (HSM) technology is one of important aspects of advanced manufacturing technology. Nickel-based superalloys have been widely used in the aircraft and nuclear industry due to their exceptional thermal resistance and the ability to retain mechanical properties at elevated temperatures of service environment over 700 ℃. However, they are classified as difficult-to-cut materials due to their high shear strength, work hardening tendency, highly abrasive carbide particles in the microstructur...