Performance evaluation of WC, SiAlON and SiC_w + Al₂O₃ tools in dry machining of Inconel 617

Despite the fact that Inconel 617 has prominent industrial applications, the machining characteristics of the same alloy are relatively unknown. The present study, therefore, aims at comparative evaluation of performance of WC, SiAlON and SiC_w + Al₂O₃ tools under different cutting parameters during dry machining of Inconel 617. Solid solution strengthening due to Ni-Cr-Mo-Co phases and precipitation strengthening due to M₂₃C₆ carbide present in Inconel 617 specifically lead to rapid rate of tool wear. Finite element (FE) simulation is carried out to predict cutting zone temperature and tool wear followed by experimental validation. The results indicate that WC tool performs well in terms of cutting force, temperature and surface roughness under the condition of low cutting speed of 50 m/min due to low tool wear. The effectiveness of WC tool rapidly deteriorates under high cutting speeds of 150 and 250 m/min. Ceramic tools outperform WC under the condition of higher cutting speeds in terms of greater resistance to crater and flank wear, cutting force, temperature and surface roughness. However, depth-of-cut notch and nose chipping are the predominant modes of tool wear for ceramic tools during machining of Inconel 617.