Inconel 600 alloys (UNS N06600) may be machined to pipe fittings, flanges, valve parts and other complex shapes. The investigation on Inconel 600’s machinability is introduced in this article. The main machining/ cutting methods include drilling, boring, turning, grinding, and milling, etc.

Inconel 600’s Machining Characteristics

• Large cutting forced and high cutting temperature, usually 1.5~2 times than carbon steel.
• The serious wear of cutting tools results in very short service life.
• Serious work hardening during the machining.
• Very difficult to dispose the chips during machining process.

Selection of Cutting Tools

The cutting tools for Inconel 600 shall be very sharp while maintain adequate strength. In practice, the fine grain hard alloy with TiC-TiN or TiC-Al₂O₃-TiN coating is the prime option. Typical brand: VNGP160408 S05F from Sandvik Coromant. Another option is the ceramic cutting tools with its representative brand Sialon Si₃N₄ RNGN120700KY2100.

Cutting Parameters and Cutting Fluid

The empirical cutting parameters during the machining of Inconel 600:

• Cutting speed: 20 m/minute ~ 80 m/minute.
• Cutting feed: 0.1 mm/r ~ 0.3 mm/r.
• Back engagement: 0.3 mm ~ 5 mm.
• Rake angle: 3°~10°, clearance angle: 8°~15°.
• Tool cutting edge inclination angle: 0°~4°.
• Edge chamfer angle: 0°~5°, Edge width: 0.2 mm ~ 0.4 mm.
• Spiral angle(end mill): 28°~35°.

Both aqueous solution or chlorinated oil can be chosen as the cutting fluid.