Evaluation of the machinability performance of PH 13-8 Mo maraging steel used in the aerospace industry

Abstract

This study focused on investigating the impacts of machining parameters on cutting force (Fc), surface roughness (Ra), cutting power (Pc), and specific cutting energy (SCE) and determining optimum machining parameters in turning PH 13-8 Mo stainless steel. For this purpose, an experimental design was set with Taguchi's L32 orthogonal array by identifying cutting parameters such as cutting speed (Vc), feed rate (f), and depth of cut (ap) at different levels. The turning tests were carried out on the CNC lathe using a coated carbide cutting tool under dry-cutting conditions. Signal/Noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine the impacts of cutting parameters on Fc, Ra, Pc, and SCE values obtained after turning experiments. In addition, regression analysis was performed to identify the correlation between Fc, Ra, Pc, and SCE and cutting parameters through linear and quadratic regression models. The main findings of the study are that the lowest Fc (A1B1C3), Ra (A1B1C4), Pc (A1B1C1) and SCE (A2B4C3) values were measured at 287.8 N, 0.59 µm, 697.16 W and 1549.55 J/mm3 in turning PH 13-8 Mo martensitic stainless steel. ANOVA, the most important process parameter affecting Fc, Ra, Pc, and SCE was feed rate at the rate of 85.57%, 84.93%, 71.10% and 60%. It was observed that the mathematical model findings obtained with the test results are in good agreement. In general, wear mechanisms such as adhesion, BUE, chips, crater, notch, fracture, and chipping on the cutting tool were detected in the turning of PH 13-8 Mo stainless steel.

Optimization of machining parameters for turning operation of heat-treated Ti-6Al-3Mo-2Nb-2Sn-2Zr-1.5Cr alloy by Taguchi method

“…Recent advancements in parameter selection techniques have led to the development of more efficient methods to identify optimal machining parameters 9 . Among these methods are ANOVA, Taguchi, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) 10 – 15 . As new titanium alloys like TC21 Ti-alloy are developed, it becomes crucial to study their performance in various applications.…”

“…Nevertheless, the primary challenge with this alloy is its difficult machinability 13 . Numerous studies have focused on this issue, employing a range of machining parameters to conduct turning operations 10 – 16 . These studies have predominantly optimized the turning cutting conditions using the Taguchi method.…”