The corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys depends mainly on its surface integrity. Previous experimental studies have shown that machining can induces small (nano-scale) grain size, compressive residual stresses and basal plane crystallographic texture, which significantly improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy. These studies have focused on the positive effects of cryogenic cooling and tool edge radius preparation. In this paper, the influence of a wide range of cutting process parameters (including cut-ting speed, feed, tool rake angle, tool edge radius and cooling conditions) acting on the cutting mechanics and surface integrity produced during machining of AZ31B-O magnesium alloy have been studied experimentally and numerically

Surface integrity of machined products has a critical impact on their functional performance. Magnesium alloys are lightweight materials for transportation industry and are also emerging as a potential material for temporary biomedical implants. However, their unsatisfactory corrosion resistance limits their application to a great extent. Surface integrity factors, such as grain size, crystallographic orientation and residual stresses, were reported to have significant influence on corrosion resistance of AZ31 Mg alloys. In this study, AZ31B Mg discs were orthogonally turned using cutting tools with two edge radii under both dry and cryogenic conditions. The influence of cutting edge radius and cooling method on surface integrity was investigated. Cryogenic machining using a large edge radius tool led to a thicker grain refinement layer, larger compressive residual stresses and stronger intensity of basal texture, which may remarkably enhance the corrosion performance of magnesium alloys