Evaluating the Impact of Hybrid Nanolubricants on Cutting Power Consumption in Inconel 718 Turning Under MQL Conditions

Inconel 718, a high-strength nickel-based superalloy, is widely employed in demanding industries such as oil and gas, marine, and aerospace. The material’s robust properties pose challenges during machining, necessitating increased power consumption and resulting in economic losses. Conventional lubricants aim to enhance machining performance but contribute to environmental pollution. The adoption of a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique seeks to reduce lubricant use, but its efficacy remains limited. This study examines the potential of hybrid nanolubricants as an alternative to conventional cutting fluids, applied in conjunction with MQL for Inconel 718 machining. The investigation focuses on the impact of hybrid nanolubricants on power consumption during the turning process. Various cutting speeds (25, 50, and 100 m/min) were tested, maintaining a constant feed rate (0.5 mm/rev) and depth of cut (1.0 mm), and compared with single \(\left( {{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} } \right)\) and hybrid ( \({\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} + {\text{ZnO,}}\) 1:1) nanolubricants under MQL and dry machining conditions. Results reveal that the hybrid nanolubricant exhibits lower average power consumption across all cutting speeds, thus enhancing machining efficiency. Relative to dry machining, the hybrid nanolubricant achieves 53% power reduction at 25 m/min, 29% at 50 m/min, and 39% at 100 m/min. Comparisons with single nanolubricant show improvements of 13% at 25 m/min, 13.1% at 50 m/min, and 7% at 100 m/min. Hybrid nanolubricants demonstrate superior performance as cutting fluids for hard-to-machine alloys like Inconel 718, contributing to reduced power consumption. The findings hold potential applications in industries seeking environmentally friendly, energy-efficient alternatives to traditional cutting fluids.