Sustainable machining: performance evaluation of vegetable-based cutting fluids in drilling

Cutting fluids used in manufacturing operations have a significant impact on human health and the environment. The substitution of environmentally friendly vegetable oils for mineral oils has a major positive impact on the environment. Cutting fluids containing green and eco-friendly ingredients can be used to reduce the negative effects. In this study, drilling operations were carried out by machining commonly used low-carbon structural steel at low cutting speeds. During the drilling process, mineral oil, neem oil, coconut oil, and canola oil were used as cutting fluids without the addition of additives. The cooling process was carried out using the MQL method at a pressure of 0.5 bar. The results were obtained by drilling at low cutting speeds (V-c <15 m/min) and feed rates (f <= 0.025 mm/rev). Cutting forces and temperatures during the machining process were recorded simultaneously, and surface roughness values were measured after the experimental process. The results indicate that, especially at low cutting speeds, vegetable-based cutting fluids improve cutting performance and surface integrity.