Environmentally friendly turning of AISI 316 stainless steel with vegetable oils under MQL

Machinability is a crucial aspect of manufacturing, as most industrial products undergo machining processes. In these processes, cutting fluids play an important role by reducing tool wear and improving cooling and lubrication. However, conventional fluids, generally formulated from petroleum-derived mineral oils, are non-renewable resources and have potential environmental impacts. As an alternative, vegetable based oils emerge as renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally more sustainable options. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the performance of a conventional synthetic cutting fluid and two vegetable-based fluids (cottonseed oil and canola oil) in the turning process, using the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique. Dry tests were also conducted as a reference. The output variables analyzed were: cutting force, surface roughness, and vibration. The results demonstrated that cottonseed and canola vegetable oils showed satisfactory performance, with cottonseed oil standing out for its better surface finish and lower vibrations.