Effect of Cutting Fluid on Machinability of Optical Glass SF6

For the technology of diamond cutting of optical glass, the machinability of glass is poor, which hindering the practical application of this technology. In order to investigate and ameliorate the machinability of glass, and achieve optical parts with the satisfied surface quality and dimensional accuracy, this paper first conducted SF6 indentation experiment by Vickers microhardness instrument, and then the scratching tests with increasing depths of cut were conducted on glass SF6 to evaluate the influence of the cutting fluid properties on the machinability of glass. Based on this, turning tests were carried out, and the surface quality of SF6 was assessed based on the detections of the machined surfaces roughness. Experimental results indicated that compared with the process of dry cutting, the machinability of glass SF6 can be improved by using the cutting fluid.