Sustainability Evaluation of Machining Ti6Al4V with Graphene Inclusion

Ti6Al4V has wide applications but is generally considered to belong to the “difficult to machine” category. The present work aims at evaluating sustainability while machining Ti6Al4V with inclusion of graphene. Graphene is included using two methods in this work. In method one, graphene is included as a dispersant in cutting fluid and applied as minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). In the other method, graphene is filled in microholes on tools to form self-lubricating tools. Experiments are performed, and results are used to evaluate carbon footprint of the operation on the environment. Economic analysis is also performed—application of graphene as dispersant as well as in solid form enhanced machining capability of Ti6Al4V. Application of 0.3 wt.% graphene dispersed cutting fluid is found to be the most economic. The use of graphene in both forms could improve the machinability of Ti6Al4V and is also found to be economical but has enhanced carbon emission to the environment.