Sustainable machining: enhancing performance with vegetable oil-based nano cutting fluids

The environmentally friendly cutting fluids in machining is now attractive due to both environmental and health problem, as well as the growing demand for sustainable manufacturing. The study evaluates the technical feasibility of utilizing biodegradable natural vegetable oil infused with graphene nanoparticles as a cutting fluid for turning SS 304 steel. The Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) method was employed in the assessment. Corn oil was chosen as the edible vegetable oil, and different volume percentages (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%) of nanoparticles were mixed to prepare nanofluids. To provide a basis for comparison, a commercial cutting fluid was used under the same MQL technique, along with a dry condition as a benchmark. To measure the lubri-cooling capacity and physical and chemical properties of the fluids, specific tests were conducted. The experimental results showed corn oil with 2.5% graphene demonstrated promising results. Cutting force initially increases and then gradually decreases as percentage Graphene increases. With 2.5% graphene showing optimal performance in reducing friction, improving heat dissipation, and minimizing tool wear.