Title: Prospective applications of nano fluid during machining process

Authors: Sachindra J. Doshi; P.K. Jain; N.K. Mehta

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering, Government Engineering College, Vidyanagar, Bhavnagar, 364002, Gujarat, India ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 249776, India ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 249776, India

Abstract: Nanofluids are fluids engineered by dispersing nanometre size structure in a base fluid in colloidal state. The paper discusses the possibility of application of nanofluid as cutting fluid during machining and the associated challenges. It was pointed out by several researchers that substitution of conventional coolants by nanofluid appears promising in a wide range of applications such as engine cooling, cooling of electronics, heat exchanging devices and nuclear reactors. It would therefore be of interest to explore the use of nanofluid as cutting fluid during machining. The primary function of cutting fluid during the machining operation is to carry away the heat generated and provide lubrication. It is reported in literature, that nanofluids have a much higher and strongly temperature dependent thermal conductivity at very low particle concentrations than conventional fluids. Also nanofluids have excellent tribological property. Both of these properties are desirable for applying it as cutting fluid during the machining. This can be considered as one of the key parameters for enhanced performance during machining of difficult-to-cut materials. However, few barriers and challenges that have been identified in this article must be addressed carefully before nanofluid can be employed as cutting fluid in the industry.

Keywords: nanofluids; cutting fluids; MQL; minimum quantity lubrication; wet machining; difficult to machine materials; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2013.056365

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2013 Vol.14 No.3, pp.257 - 274

Received: 28 Mar 2012
Accepted: 20 Dec 2012
Published online: 26 Dec 2013 *

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