Nanofluid minimal quantity lubrication (NFMQL) is a new synergistic technology of minimal quantity lubrication (MQL).In order to understand its effect on stainless steel cutting,SUS304 stainless steel was turned by different lubrication conditions,such as dry cutting,pouring lubrication,MQL and NFMQL by Al2O3 particles,and then the cutting force,cutting temperature,finish and tool life were compared to find differences.The experimental results show that NFMQL has better cooling and lubrication effect than MQL,but worse than pouring lubrication;NFMQL is easy to obtain smaller cutting force and cutting temperature,finish and longer tool working life than MQL.NFMQL improves finish and tool life significantly.NFMQL improves cutting performance of stainless steel and it is suitable for stainless steel cutting.