Optimal milling parameters of 0.12 C-18 Cr-10Ni-Ti stainless steel fabricated by electron beam additive manufacturing
- Authors: Qi M.1, Panin S.V.2, Stepanov D.Y.2, Burkov M.V.2, Zhang Q.1
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Affiliations:
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
- Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Sciences SB RAS
- Issue: Vol 27, No 4 (2025)
- Pages: 116-130
- Section: TECHNOLOGY
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1994-6309/article/view/356666
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17212/1994-6309-2025-27.4-116-130
- ID: 356666
Cite item
Abstract
Introduction. Unlike traditional manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing (AM) offers improved efficiency while being environmentally friendly. A significant limitation hindering the adoption of wire-based electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) technology is the relatively low quality and high surface roughness of 3D-printed parts. The purpose of this study is to establish the optimal values of milling process parameters (rotational speed, feed rate, and milling width) based on the simultaneous evaluation of the surface roughness of the machined surface and the material removal rate. Methods and materials. This study investigated specimens fabricated using EBAM technology. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted on an electromechanical testing machine. Cutting forces were determined with a Kistler 9257B dynamometer. Milling studies of EBAM 321 steel workpieces were performed on a semi-industrial CNC milling machine. Results and discussion. It was shown that in order to increase the material removal rate and reduce the cutting force on a milling machine without the use of coolant, it is recommended to increase the milling speed, but not to increase the feed rate. To investigate the relationship between material removal rate and surface roughness relative to milling parameters on a semi-industrial machine (with an average stiffness of the portal frame), multiple linear regression models and nonlinear models based on feedforward neural networks were employed. It was demonstrated that linear regression models are sufficient for predicting optimal milling parameters. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted within a narrow range of gentle machining conditions, with short processing times and without accounting for tool wear. Under these constraints, the optimal milling parameters for EBAM 321 steel were predicted as follows: spindle speed of 4,500 rpm, feed rate S = 404 mm/min, and cutting depth B = 0.43 mm, resulting in a predicted surface roughness (Ra) of 0.648 µm and a material removal rate of 695 mm³/min.
About the authors
Mengxu Qi
National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
Email: mensyuy1@tpu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3738-0193
SPIN-code: 1437-7723
Scopus Author ID: 58000788300
ResearcherId: KRV-7414-2024
Post-graduate Student
Russian Federation, 634050, Russian Federation, Tomsk, 30 Lenin AvenueSergey V. Panin
Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Sciences SB RAS
Email: svp@ispms.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7623-7360
SPIN-code: 2348-2651
Scopus Author ID: 7003422815
ResearcherId: H-2160-2016
https://www.ispms.ru/persons/panin-sergey-viktorovich.php
D.Sc. (Engineering), Professor
Russian Federation, 634055, Russian Federation, Tomsk, 2/4 per. AcademicheskiiDmitry Yu. Stepanov
Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Sciences SB RAS
Email: sdu@ispms.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2558-7613
SPIN-code: 7166-3580
Scopus Author ID: 57205610120
ResearcherId: MEO-3821-2025
Ph.D. (Engineering)
Russian Federation, 634055, Russian Federation, Tomsk, 2/4 per. AcademicheskiiMikhail V. Burkov
Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Sciences SB RAS
Email: sdu@ispms.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3337-6579
SPIN-code: 7852-3768
ResearcherId: F-5495-2014
Ph.D. (Engineering)
Russian Federation, 634055, Russian Federation, Tomsk, 2/4 per. AcademicheskiiQingrong Zhang
National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
Author for correspondence.
Email: cinzhun1@tpu.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-7820-1227
SPIN-code: 7543-1914
ResearcherId: MZQ-6626-2025
Post-graduate Student
Russian Federation, 634050, Russian Federation, Tomsk, 30 Lenin AvenueReferences
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Supplementary files
Note
Funding
The study was financially supported by the Russian Federation via Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 075-15-2023-456).
Acknowledgements
Research were conducted at core facility "Structure, mechanical and physical properties of materials" NSTU. The authors thank Yu.V. Kushnarev for assistance in fabricating 0.12C-18Cr-10Ni-Ti steel samples at the experimental facility of ISPMS SB RAS.

