Study on machinability and grain deformation of laser cladding manufactured and wrought IN718 alloys in dry milling process

• Published in: Materials today communications Vol. 34; p. 105066
• Main Authors: Shu, Linsen, Cang, Xinyu, Zhou, Jun, Heng, Zhao, Wu, Han, He, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Cutting force; Dry milling; Laser cladding; Microhardness; Subsurface microstructure; Surface topography and roughness; Dry milling; Subsurface microstructure; Laser cladding; Microhardness; Surface topography and roughness; Cutting force
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.105066

The technique of laser cladding (LC) has gained tremendous attention for its potential to replace conventional machining procedures for producing and repairing intricate components based on Inconel 718 (IN718) alloy. Nevertheless, the application of LC fabricated IN718 components is often limited because of their mediocre surface integrity and mechanical property, these components need to be post-treatment. Post-treatment with dry milling not only improves surface quality but also contributes to environmental protection. Therefore, to get insight into the material removal mechanism of LC fabricated IN718 components in the dry milling process, a range of experiments have been conducted to research cutting force, surface topography and roughness, subsurface microstructure, and microhardness. A set of comparative trials to the wrought IN718 samples were also performed. The cutting forces of LC fabricated IN718 samples are 1.52–16.69 N larger than that of wrought IN718 samples, owing to differences in grain geometries. Also, relatively typical surface topography and roughness were achieved using different kinds of IN718 samples. There is evidence that surface plastic deformation and grain refinement are greater on LC fabricated IN718 samples than on wrought IN718 samples. Finally, examinations of the subsurface microstructure and microhardness between the two types of IN718 samples were compared. Grain refinement in two types of IN718 components could increase microhardness from 92.1 to 140 HV0.025. [Display omitted] •Dry milling tests were carried out on both LCed and conventional IN718 materials.•The effect of cutting parameters on machinability of diverse IN718 were studied.•Differences in surface topography and roughness of diverse IN718 were discussed.•Formation mechanism of subsurface plastic deformation was analyzed.