Akdulum, Aslan; Siyambaş, Yusuf

This study aims to investigate the effects of different cutting conditions on the machining performance of difficult-to-machine AISI 316L stainless steel using the high-feed milling method. Experiments were conducted using different spindle speeds and feed rates; cutting temperatures were recorded using a thermal camera, surface roughness measured with a profilometer, and tool wear examined via SEM and EDS analysis. The findings reveal that air-assisted cooling reduced the maximum cutting temperature from 321°C to 197°C (a 39% reduction) compared to dry cutting. In terms of surface roughness, the lowest Ra value achieved under air-assisted conditions was 0.929 µm, compared to 1.100 µm under dry conditions. Tool wear analyses showed that air-assisted cooling significantly reduced coating delamination and material adhesion on the tool surface. These advantages provided by the air-assisted system stand out as an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternative, especially in processes where high temperatures and tool wear are critical.