It has been suggested that the lubricating efficiency of cutting fluids can
be assessed using a reaming test that measures cutting forces and surface
roughness. in the present work, an investigation was undertaken to ream aus
tenitic stainless steel using water based fluids and to evaluate the effect
of the cutting fluid on cutting forces, surface finish and hole diameter T
ests were performed at three different cutting depths and using two differe
nt tool holders. The main parameters influencing the reaming torque test, w
hich are pilot hole accuracy, built-up edge formation and sampling window o
f the force analysis, are discussed. For mean reaming torque, a measurement
uncertainty of five percent (with six repetitions) was achieved. Results s
haw that torque and thrust measurements offer a reliable description of the
lubricating properties of cutting fluids, while conventional surface rough
ness evaluation is connected to a larger scatter in the results.