ABSTRACT
In many developing and developed nations, manufacturing is one of the major sectors that determines the economy of the country, and at the heart of manufacturing is the machining process. Machining can be defined as the removal of excess material using a power-driven cutting tool. Machining processes are inevitable, and they are the most versatile manufacturing process. Nowadays, the interests in sustainable machining processes are creating attention. Many countries are showing interest in eco-friendly manufacturing processes by providing eco-awareness regulations to prevent their environment from further damaging. One of the most promising sustainable machining solutions explored by researchers in the past decade is the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) system, which is also referred to as near dry machining (NDM) and micro-lubrication. In the MQL system, the coolant is applied as an air-coolant mixture stream, directed toward the machining zone in a compressed manner rather than flooding the machining zone. The MQL system is a highly significant technology for economical and environmentally friendly machining operations. It is also proved by researchers that the implementation of the MQL system would reduce the production cost significantly. Even though there are many proven research studies on this system, still some challenges exist. This chapter comprehensively reviews the recent advances in MQL machining, its advantages, and its implications.
