Lubrication and application method in machining

Abstract
Suggests that a very low volume of lubricant is enough to improve the cutting operation because the area that requires lubrication is small. An estimate of the volume of lubricant necessary has been carried out (7.2ml h-1) and some comments are presented about results of previous experiments using extremely low volumes of lubricant (108ml h-1). The low volume of lubricant is applied in the same way as the conventional system. In these previous experiments the effect of lubrication is measured by surface finish, cutting force and workpiece temperature. The improvement in surface finish when low volume of lubricant is applied is similar to the results obtained with tests carried out using the conventional cutting fluid system. This improvement is not due to lubrication on the rake face to avoid built-up edge, but action on the machined surface after it has been formed.