Chip Formation When Drilling AISI 316L Stainless Steel using Carbide Twist Drill

Procedia Manufacturing 2 ( 2015 ) 224 – 229

Chip Formation When Drilling AISI 316L Stainless Steel using Carbide Twist Drill

by: A. Z. Sultan, Safian Sharif,*, Denni Kurniawan
Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Tamalanrea, Makasar 90245, Indonesia
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor 81300, Malaysia

Abstract
Knowledge on the chip formation mechanism during drilling is very important to deliver the chips with size and shape as expected. Long chips cannot rid smoothly over drill flutes hence should be avoided while small chips can be removed easily from the machined hole. In this study, performance of a solid carbide twist drill through drilling of AISI 316L stainless steels was evaluated in terms of chip formation. This study aims to  better define and further characterize the different chips shape and dimensions as a function of tool wear and cutting conditions in drilling the stainless steel. Experiments conducted on various combinations of cutting speed (18 and 30 m min-1) and feed rate (0.03, 0.045 and 0.06 mm rev-1) to present the differences in chip formation. Optical observation and comparative analysis of flank wear of the twist drill were done. As the results of the performed experiments, the lowest cutting speed-lowest feed rate reveals better  performance due to desirable chips formation on austenitic stainless steels drilling.

© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of MIMEC2015.

Keywords: Chip formation; Drilling; Stainless steel; Carbide Twist Drill.

Conclusions
From the results obtained in the study, the following conclusions were drawn. The drilling of  austenitic stainless steel with appropriate cutting parameters is possible without severe tool wear. The effect of cutting parameters on chip size and formation was examined. In term of desired chip formation, when using 4 mm solid carbide twist drill, a cutting speed lower than 30 m/min and feed rate 0.03 mm/rev or lower should be applied.

Acknowledgement
 Financial supports from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia through Research University