Machining is one secondary manufacturing process that is performed to impart the desired shape, size, and surface finish by removing material from a solid 3D blank. Here this article gives the difference between machining and wet machining to better understand this topic.
Difference between dry machining and wet machining:
- Dry machining is performed in absence of appropriate cutting fluid, while wet machining is performed in presence of appropriate cutting fluid.
- Dry machining fluid delivery system is required, while the wet machining proper fluid delivery system must be installed with the machine tool for controlled delivery of cutting fluid.
- In Dry machining due to excessive cutting heat, chip color changes undesirably, while the wet machining chip color usually remains the same as that of work materials.
- While using dry machining workpieces and cutting tools are subjected to other thermal damages also, while the wet machining reduces the tendency of thermal damages of workpiece and cutter.
- Dry machining can be carried out while cutting soft materials like wood, polymer, soft metals, Wet machining is preferred which cutting hard metals like steel, titanium, etc.
- Dry machining cutting temperature remains very high during machining, whole the wet machining cutting the temperature remains significantly low because of reduced rate of heat generation ad continuous removal of heat by cutting fluid.
- Dry machining is less hazardous to the worker. No such environmental pollution is associated with dry cutting, while the prolonged exposure to cutting fluid sometimes turns to the operator. It is disposal contaminates the environment.
- Dry machining is a rate of heat generation machining is considerably more, while the wet machining for same parameters and materials, rate of heat generation is low due to lubricating effect of cutting fluid.
- Dry machining is high cutting temperature accelerates the tool wear rate and this reduces tool of life. It also tends to deform the cutting edges plastically, while the wet machining for the same work tool material combination and process, a tool under wet machining exhibits prolonged life due to degraded wear rate.
- Dry machining problem associated with corrosion of machine tools is not prevalent here owing to the absence of cutting fluid, while the wet machining of some cutting fluids corrodes various machine parts rapidly. Thus longevity of machine tools degrades.