Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Tool Life of HSS Tool (S400) and Surface Finish of the Material in Turning of SS304

Tool steels are the most widely used components for the single point cutting tool in the turning process. Therefore the characterization of the properties of these tool materials has a great significance when turning is carried out. Alteration and improvement of the properties of these tool steels will enhance the machining process. The present work explores the effect of cryogenic treatment done on a single point cutting tool (HSS) which helps in machining different tool materials with a better surface finish and increased tool life. Turning operation is done on commercial grade material SS304 by using both cryogenically treated and non-treated HSS tool bits at three different speeds (180, 300 and 530 rpm) with the time interval of 3 minutes until the nose fracture is observed. The graphs were plotted between the tool wear and time interval for each speed comparing both the tool lives and it is found that the cryogenically treated tool has sustained for more time than non-cryogenically treated tool at any given speeds standing with more tool life. Also the forces generated during the operation were observed by tool force dynamometer and found to be more in NTT than CTT and even the surface finish of the work piece got enhanced when CT tool is used at any given speeds. (paper)