review · Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Carbon nanotubes possess notable mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal properties that make them valuable for improving modern manufacturing. Machining operations, which underpin manufacturing technologies, increasingly rely on carbon nanotubes to boost operational productivity. Integrating these nanotubes into cutting tools enhances their mechanical characteristics, providing greater wear resistance, higher strength, and improved thermal conductivity. These enhancements directly extend cutting tool life and overall performance during machining tasks. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes are employed within nanofluids for minimum quantity lubrication systems. In these setups, the nanotubes reduce friction and improve thermal management. This combination allows machining processes to maintain effective cooling and lubrication while significantly lowering the volume of lubricant required. Identifying fit-for-purpose applications is essential for directing future use of these materials in manufacturing.
Machining processes form the foundation of modern manufacturing, but cutting tools wear out quickly and standard cooling methods consume high volumes of lubricants. Incorporating carbon nanotubes improves tool durability and enables minimal lubricant usage. This approach helps industrial operations reduce material waste, cut down on fluid consumption, and achieve more productive manufacturing cycles.
This work points to practical applications for cutting tool manufacturers and industrial machining operators seeking longer tool life and reduced fluid consumption. The technology centres on tool coatings or composites and nanofluid-based minimum quantity lubrication systems. Because this is a review surveying existing methods and fit-for-purpose implementations, the applications represent applied and tested concepts under ongoing development rather than a single direct-to-market product.
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Recently, there has been much scholarly research on the applications of CNTs in various fields which can be attributed to their outstanding properties. For that matter, machining processes as the backbone of manufacturing technologies have also benefited greatly from the introduction of CNTs. However, there is a lack of papers that provide a holistic overview on potential applications, which impedes focused and robust research in their application. In this work, after providing an outline of the methods used in increasing the productivity of machining processes, we will review the ways in which CNTs, known for their remarkable mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal characteristics, enhance the productivity of machining processes. We emphasize fit-for-purpose applications to determine the fate of CNTs use in machining processes. We examine the applications of CNTs in enhancing the mechanical characteristics of cutting tools, which include increased wear resistance, strength, and thermal conductivity, thereby extending tool life and performance. Additionally, this work highlights the application of nanofluids in MQL systems, where CNTs play a crucial role in reducing friction and enhancing thermal management, leading to reduced lubricant usage while maintaining cooling and lubrication effectiveness.
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DOI: 10.3390/jmmp8060282
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