Effect of Nitrogen Gas and Nitrogen-Oil-Mist Conditions when Turning of STAVAX ESR Steel

Conventional coolant/lubricants have some drawbacks such as high cost, pollution, and unsatisfactory product quality. New cooling approach by using gases to enhance machinability has been investigated. This study presents the finding of nitrogen gas and nitrogen-oil-mist as conditions when turning of hardened stainless tool steel (STAVAX ESR) with hardness 48 HRC. Turning experiments were carried out on CNC turning machine using rhomboid type wiper coated carbide cutting inserts. The result show that better product surface finish and longer tool life, as well as decrease cutting temperatures could be achieved by using nitrogen-oil-mist condition compared to nitrogen gas condition.