Surface Integrity of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy in Milling with Cryogenic Heat Treated Cutting Tools under Different Cutting Conditions

In this study, the surface integrity of nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys (SMAs) was investigated after face milling processes with cryogenically treated/untreated cemented carbide cutting tools at the conditions of dry cutting and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) of cutting fluids depending on the changing cutting parameters. The integrity of surface layer of the workpiece material was evaluated according to the mean surface roughness, microstructure and hardness, as well as according to the resultant cutting force and flank wear of inserts. Cutting tests were carried out at three different cutting speeds (20, 35 and 50 m/min), feed rates (0.03, 0.07 and 0.14 mm/tooth) and a constant axial cutting depth (0.7 mm). The influence of these parameters on the surface integrity was extensively investigated. The face milling tests of NiTi SMA at optimal cutting parameters show that the surface integrity enhanced at a cutting speed of 50 m/min and feed rate of 0.03 mm/tooth using boron-added cutting fluid (EG + %5BX) with deep cryogenic heat treated (− 196 °C) CVD coated S40T grade cutting tool. Under MQL conditions, the minimum mean surface roughness (0.278 µm), resultant cutting force (268.2 N) and flank wear (0.18 mm) were obtained due to the high thermal conductivity and lubrication property of EG + %5BX cutting fluid. The highest hardness values (343 HV) were measured at the zone subjected to the highest deformation, while the lowest one (316 HV) was measured at the zone at the least deformation.