Influence of laser parameters on the machining performance of textured cutting tools

Over the past three decades, surface texturing has garnered significant interest as a method of controlling friction and wear in tribological systems. Surface textures play a significant role in reducing friction under dry machining conditions by lowering adhesion, decreasing the effective area of contact, and collecting wear particles. However, the effect of various laser parameters on the machining performance of textured tools is still unclear. In this research study, linear textures have been fabricated on the rake surface of uncoated carbide tools using the Nd:YAG laser by varying the laser parameters. The effect of the laser parameters, such as fluence and the average number of pulses per surface spot has been evaluated in terms of depth of textures, resolidified layer, and change in substrate hardness. The textured tools have been further used for turning the pH 13–8 Mo SS (UNS S13800) alloy under dry and wet conditions. The machining outcome results obtained with the textured tools have been compared with the plain tool. The turning experiments showed that textured tools helped in improving the machining performance by reducing the cutting forces, cutting temperature, surface roughness, and tool wear. In this research work, the textured tools fabricated with the combination of fluence = 31.4 J/cm2 and pulses per surface spot = 5 pulses/surface spot have outperformed the other textured tools fabricated with the combination of different laser parameters in terms of machining performance.