The influence of machining / turning under different cutting conditions with different tool materials on residual stresses and work hardening of Inconel718 super alloy has been investigated. Turning process was performed using three different tool materials namely Carbide, Ceramic and cBN with constant tool geometry under three different cutting environments such as Dry machining, MQL and flood cooling cutting condition. Taguchi's L18 orthogonal array was used for the design of experiments and the machining trails were conducted accordingly. Machining induced residual stresses were measured and analysed by using X-ray diffraction measurement technique. Microhardness on surface and subsurface was measured by using Vickers microhardness tester. An attempt has been made to understand the correlation between work hardening and residual stresses induced during turning of Inconel 718. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.