Investigation into the surface quality and stress corrosion cracking resistance of AISI 316L stainless steel via precision end-milling operation

This study presents a two-fold investigation on precision end-milling of stainless steel (AISI 316L). First, the impact of end-milling variables (cutting speed and feed rate) on the surface quality (surface roughness, microhardness, and surface morphology) was analyzed. The best surface quality with surface roughness (R-a) 0.65 +/- 0.02 mu m was observed for cutting speed of 140 m/min and 0.025 mm/tooth of feed rate. Microhardness was increased with increment in cutting speed. Second, the impact of surface roughness (R-a) on the stress corrosion cracking under two different mediums, i.e., body solutions (Hank's solution) and 1 M hydrochloric acid solution, was studied. The investigations showed that the samples with higher surface roughness values were more prone to stress corrosion cracking.