Al/SiCp-Gr hybrid aluminum matrix composites are used for high performance"ceramic" brake discs as it is able to withstand extreme temperatures. The addition of solid lubricant particles such as graphite along with SiCp as hybrid reinforcements effectively improves the tribological properties of the composites. There is still a need for the detailed, economic and systematic study of their machining characteristics in engineering applications of these composites. We report the influence of cutting parameters and effect of graphite rate on cutting force and surface roughness in drilling Al/20%SiC/5%Gr, Al/20%SiC/7.5%Gr and Al/20%SiC/10%Gr hybrid composites fabricated by vortex method. The drilling tests were conducted with diamond like carbon (DLC) coated cutting tools. Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array, S/N ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for finding the optimal process parameters for cutting force and surface roughness, Ra. Linear regression model was developed for surface roughness and cutting force to check the model adequacy. Statistical analysis results show that the rate of graphite and feed was found to be significant parameters for surface roughness (Ra) and cutting force. Spindle speed has the insignificant effect on cutting force by the ANOVA The predicted values from the developed model and experimental values were found to be very similar in this study.
Key words:hybrid composites, drilling, graphite, Taguchi method
Journal of Engineering and Fundamentals (JEF), 2(2);30-41, 1 December, 2015
Journal of Engineering and Fundamentals (JEF)-43-
IntroductionAluminium metal matrix composite (Al MMC) possess a number of mechanical and physical properties that make them attractive for automotive applications. Reinforcement of aluminium alloys with solid lubricants, hard ceramic particles, short fibres and whiskers effectively improves the mechanical, physical and tribological properties of the composites. Hybrid aluminium matrix composites are used for high performance "ceramic" brake discs since they are able to resist extreme temperatures [1] to [5].