Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is a method that uses a very small amount of
liquid to reduce friction between cutting tool and work piece during machining. The
implementation of MQL machining has become a viable alternative to flood cooling machining
and dry machining. The overall performance has been evaluated during meso-scale milling of
mild steel using different diameter milling cutters. Experiments have been conducted under two
different lubrication condition: dry and MQL with variable cutting parameters. The tool wear
and its surface roughness, machined surfaces microstructure and surface roughness were
observed for both conditions. It was found from the results that MQL produced better results
compared to dry machining. The 0.5 mm tool has been selected as the most optimum tool
diameter to be used with the lowest surface roughness as well as the least flank wear
generation. For the workpiece, it was observed that the cutting temperature possesses crucial
effect on the microstructure and the surface roughness of the machined surface and bigger
diameter tool actually resulted in higher surface roughness. The poor conductivity of the
cutting tool may be one of reasons behind
