The machining of aluminium alloy 6351

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the machinability of aluminium alloy 6351 heat treated and artificially aged (T6) when subjected to continuous turning using cemented carbide, diamond-coated carbide, and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting tools. Cutting forces, surface finish, and machining temperature were investigated. The results indicated that the cutting forces decrease with increasing cutting speed and increase with increasing feed rate and depth of cut. The PCD tool presented the lowest tangential and axial forces, but the highest radial force. Surface roughness did not present a considerable variation with cutting speed but increased with increasing feed rate and depth of cut. The best surface finish was produced by the PCD tool material. Tool-chip interface temperatures increased linearly with increasing cutting speed but were less affected by the feed rate and depth of cut.