Rohit Cutting Tools - How to do Milling of Inconel 718 most efficiently ?

Introduction to Inconel 718

Why Inconel and not any other material be used , when it is so much pain for machinist around the world ?

• Punishable environment like High Temperatures and High Pressure with good oxidation , corrosion resistance at these elevated temperatures makes Inconel the best choice for these environment which are produced in multiple applications relating to Nuclear Power Plant Reactors, Marine Equipment , Aeronautical Engines etc.

Headache for Machinist while Milling Nickel Alloys

• High Cutting Edge Temperatures due to Poor Thermal Conductivity of Nickel (Just for Reference : Pure copper is 357 W/(m·K), pure aluminum is 212, Inconel and titanium are 14 and 20, respectively )
• Quick cutting tool edge wear due to maximum heat transferred to the tool.

Solutions for best results while Milling Nickel Alloys

• Keep your Workholding devices Sturdy
• 10~12% Coolant Mix to be used
• High coolant Pressure.
• Use Variable-Helix End Mills in 4-flute Or especially 5-flute (You can ask for "ROHIT" make 330 Series - 4Flute Variable Helix Or 333 Series - 5Flute Variable Helix End Mills for Machining Nickel Alloys

Tips for better results while Milling Inconel

• # 1 Tip ever suggested by a machinist to me was he always used to Stress Relieve his Inconel Material as it delays the Work Hardening which is major cause for high heat and quick tool wear.
• # 2 Tip is that Always use Bright New Cutting Tools , Worn Out or Dull tools are Absolute NO NO for the Inconel Machining
• # 3 Tip (and one of the most important too.. it doesn't others are not that important) is High Coolant Pressures of Minimum 15Bar
• # 4 Tip : Coolant should not be normal 5~6% mix but 10~12% mix to make it greasy so that the cutting Edge does not heats up quickly.
• # 5 Tip : Do not use Normal General Purpose End Mills , only use High Performance 4-flute or preferably 5-flute Variable Helix End Mills.