Dry high speed milling of nickel-based superalloy

International audienceInconel 718 Nickel-based superalloy has been applied widely in high temperature, high load and corrosion resistant environments due to its superior properties. They are known to be among the most difficult-to-cut materials. This paper reports some experimentals findings concerning the machinability at high cutting speed in milling process. To characterize the machining of Inconel 718 by tips tools, to identify the best cutting conditions, to define the modes of wear, to determine the tool life, and to classify the types of coatings. The study is conducted according to two phases. Phase one, determination of the cutting conditions for a comparative study. Machining over some lengths with selected tips in order to determine the strategy of milling. Phase two, Study of the types of wear. During machining, the modes of wears are observed and the powers of cut are raised and referred. High speed milling machine equipped by a power consumption recorder Wattpilote. The aim is to show the machinability of the superalloy, measuring the power and the tip wear by optical microscope and white light interferometer, using different strategies and cutting conditions