A Comprehensive Review of Cooling and Lubrication Techniques in Machining: Efficiency and Sustainability Perspectives
Abstract
During material removal processes, the effective use of cutting fluids directly influences tool life, surface quality,energy consumption, and overall machining efficiency. Moreover, with increasing environmental awareness and energy efficiency targets, developing sustainable and resource-conscious manufacturing strategies has become one of thekey requirements of the manufacturing sector. In this review study, alternative cooling and lubrication methods to conventional flood systems such as Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL), cryogenic cooling, High-Pressure Cooling (HPC), hybrid systems (CryoMQL, LCO₂ + MQL), and nanofluid-based applications are comprehensively evaluated. According to findings in the literature, HPC markedly enhances tool longevity by minimizing tool wear, especially during the machining of hard-to-machine materials, while enhancing surface roughness and optimizing chip control. MQL and nanofluid-assisted methods minimize lubricant consumption, thus supporting environmental sustainability, and contribute to increased productivity by providing more effective penetration into the cutting zone. In addition, cryogenic applications efficiently remove excess heat and offer an environmentally friendly alternative by minimizing thermal deformations. The findings underline the importance of optimizing cooling and lubrication technologies in line with sustainable manufacturing goals and emphasize that the selection of these strategies must be based on a combined evaluation of environmental, economic, and technical factors. This review provides a unified and process-based assessment of all major cooling and lubrication techniques, addressing a gap in the literature where these methods have not been comprehensively evaluated together.
Keywords
References
- 1. De Chiffre, L., & Belluco, W. (2002). Investigations of cutting fluid performance using different machining operations. Tribology & Lubrication Technology, 58(10), 22.
- 2. Sharma, V. S., Dogra, M., & Suri, N. M. (2009). Cooling techniques for improved productivity in turning. International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 49(6), 435-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2008.12.010
- 3. Ghosh, S., & Rao, P. V. (2015). Application of sustainable techniques in metal cutting for enhanced machinability: a review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 100, 17-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.03.039
- 4. Cica, D., & Kramar, D. (2023). Machinability investigation and sustainability analysis of high-pressure coolant assisted turning of the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 237(1-2), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544054221092939
- 5. Trent, E. M., & Wright, P. K. (2000). Metal cutting. Butterworth-Heinemann.
- 6. Ghani, J. A., Rizal, M., & Haron, C. H. C. (2014). Performance of green machining: a comparative study of turning ductile cast iron FCD700. Journal of cleaner production, 85, 289-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.02.029
- 7. Najiha, M. S., Rahman, M. M., & Yusoff, A. R. (2016). Environmental impacts and hazards associated with metal working fluids and recent advances in the sustainable systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 60, 1008-1031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.065
- 8. Lu, Z., Zhang, D., Zhang, X., & Peng, Z. (2020). Effects of high-pressure coolant on cutting performance of high-speed ultrasonic vibration cutting titanium alloy. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 279, 116584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2019.116584
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Machining
Journal Section
Review Article
Publication Date
March 26, 2026
Submission Date
October 22, 2025
Acceptance Date
January 28, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 2