Investigation on surface integrity of Inconel 718 in cryogenic cutting compared with dry cutting and coolant cutting

Abstract As a type of high-strength, thermally resistant nickel-based alloy, Inconel 718 has found extensive application in the aerospace industry. To meet the immediate demands for excellent surface integrity in engineering practices, Streamlined manufacturing process for Inconel 718 has become an unavoidable trend. The influence of various cutting parameters and cooling conditions on the surface integrity is studied through single factor cutting test. Results show that a higher cutting speed, lower feed rate, and smaller cutting depths can obtain better machined surface under the same cooling conditions. With consistent cutting parameters, cryogenic cutting can result in reduced surface roughness, lower surface residual stress, and increased microhardness, effectively enhancing surface quality. The findings demonstrate that cryogenic cutting has a favorable machining effect and a promising future, warranting greater attention.