Laser-Assisted Machining of a Fiber Reinforced Metal Matrix Composite

Author(s):  
Chinmaya R. Dandekar ◽  
Yung C. Shin

Metal matrix composites, due to their excellent properties of high specific strength, fracture resistance, and corrosion resistance, are highly sought after over their nonferrous alloys, but these materials also present difficulty in machining. Excessive tool wear and high tooling costs of diamond tools make the cost associated with machining of these composites very high. This paper is concerned with the machining of high volume fraction long-fiber metal matrix composites (MMCs), which has seldom been studied. The composite material considered for this study is an Al–2% Cu aluminum matrix composite reinforced with 62% by volume fraction alumina fibers (Al–2% Cu/Al2O3). Laser-assisted machining (LAM) is utilized to improve the tool life and the material removal rate while minimizing the subsurface damage. The effectiveness of the laser-assisted machining process is studied by measuring the cutting forces, specific cutting energy, surface roughness, subsurface damage, and tool wear under various material removal temperatures. A multiphase finite element model is developed in ABAQUS/STANDARD to assist in the selection of cutting parameters such as tool rake angle, cutting speed, and material removal temperature. The multiphase model is also successful in predicting the damage depth on machining. The optimum material removal temperature is established as 300°C at a cutting speed of 30 m/min. LAM provides a 65% reduction in the surface roughness, specific cutting energy, tool wear rate, and minimum subsurface damage over conventional machining using the same cutting conditions.

Author(s):  
Chinmaya R. Dandekar ◽  
Yung C. Shin

Metal matrix composites due to their excellent properties of high specific strength, fracture resistance and corrosion resistance are highly sought after over their non-ferrous alloys, but these materials also present difficulty in machining. Excessive tool wear and high tooling costs of diamond tools makes the cost associated with machining of these composites very high. This paper is concerned with machining of high volume fraction long-fiber MMC’s, which has seldom been studied. The composite material considered for this study is an Al-2%Cu aluminum matrix composite reinforced with 62% by volume fraction alumina fibers (Al-2%Cu/Al2O3). Laser-machining is utilized to improve the tool life and the material removal rate while minimizing the sub-surface damage. The effectiveness of the laser-assisted machining process is studied by measuring the cutting forces, specific cutting energy, surface roughness, sub-surface damage and tool wear under various material removal temperatures. A multi-phase finite element model is developed in ABAQUS/Standard to identify and assist in selection of cutting parameters such as; tool rake angle, cutting speed and material removal temperature. The multi-phase model is also successful in predicting the damage depth on machining. The optimum material removal temperature is established as 300°C at a cutting speed of 30 m/min. LAM provides a 65% reduction in the surface roughness, specific cutting energy, the tool wear rate and minimum sub-surface damage over conventional machining using the same cutting conditions.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5011
Author(s):  
Cécile Escaich ◽  
Zhongde Shi ◽  
Luc Baron ◽  
Marek Balazinski

The TiC particles in titanium metal matrix composites (TiMMCs) make them difficult to machine. As a specific MMC, it is legitimate to wonder if the cutting mechanisms of TiMMCs are the same as or similar to those of MMCs. For this purpose, the tool wear mechanisms for turning, milling, and grinding are reviewed in this paper and compared with those for other MMCs. In addition, the chip formation and morphology, the material removal mechanism and surface quality are discussed for the different machining processes and examined thoroughly. Comparisons of the machining mechanisms between the TiMMCs and MMCs indicate that the findings for other MMCs should not be taken for granted for TiMMCs for the machining processes reviewed. The increase in cutting speed leads to a decrease in roughness value during grinding and an increase of the tool life during turning. Unconventional machining such as laser-assisted turning is effective to increase tool life. Under certain conditions, a “wear shield” was observed during the early stages of tool wear during turning, thereby increasing tool life considerably. The studies carried out on milling showed that the cutting parameters affecting surface roughness and tool wear are dependent on the tool material. The high temperatures and high shears that occur during machining lead to microstructural changes in the workpiece during grinding, and in the chips during turning. The adiabatic shear band (ASB) of the chips is the seat of the sub-grains’ formation. Finally, the cutting speed and lubrication influenced dust emission during turning but more studies are needed to validate this finding. For the milling or grinding, there are major areas to be considered for thoroughly understanding the machining behavior of TiMMCs (tool wear mechanisms, chip formation, dust emission, etc.).


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 561-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali Khan ◽  
Syed Husain Imran Jaffery ◽  
Mushtaq Khan ◽  
Muhammad Younas ◽  
Shahid Ikramullah Butt ◽  
...  

Abstract. Productivity and economy are key elements of any sustainable manufacturing system. While productivity is associated to quantity and quality, economy focuses on energy efficient processes achieving an overall high output to input ratio. Machining of hard-to-cut materials has always posed a challenge due to increased tool wear and energy loss. Cryogenics have emerged as an effective means to improve sustainability in the recent past. In the present research the use of cooling conditions has been investigated as an input variable to analyze its effect on tool wear, specific cutting energy and surface roughness in combination with other input machining parameters of feed rate, cutting speed and depth of cut. Experimental design was based on Taguchi design of experiment. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to ascertain the contribution ratio of each input. Results showed the positive effect of coolant usage, particularly cryogenic, on process responses. Tool wear was improved by 33 % whereas specific cutting energy and surface roughness were improved by 10 % and 9 % respectively by adapting the optimum machining conditions.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 5697
Author(s):  
Tarek Elgnemi ◽  
Victor Songmene ◽  
Jules Kouam ◽  
Martin B.G. Jun ◽  
Agnes Marie Samuel

This article presents the influence of machining conditions on typical process performance indicators, namely cutting force, specific cutting energy, cutting temperature, tool wear, and fine dust emission during dry milling of CFRPs. The main goal is to determine the machining process window for obtaining quality parts with acceptable tool performance and limited dust emission. For achieving this, the cutting temperature was examined using analytical and empirical models, and systematic cutting experiments were conducted to assess the reliability of the theoretical predictions. A full factorial design was used for the experimental design. The experiments were conducted on a CNC milling machine with cutting speeds of 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 rpm and feed rates of 2, 4, and 6 µm/tooth. Based on the results, it was ascertained that spindle speed significantly affects the cutting temperature and fine particle emission while cutting force, specific cutting energy, and tool wear are influenced by the feed rate. The optimal conditions for cutting force and tool wear were observed at a cutting speed of 10,000 rpm. The cutting temperature did not exceed the glass transition temperature for the cutting speeds tested and feed rates used. The fine particles emitted ranged from 0.5 to 10 µm aerodynamic diameters with a maximum concentration of 2776.6 particles for those of 0.5 µm diameters. Finally, results of the experimental optimization are presented, and the model is validated. The results obtained may be used to better understand specific phenomena associated with the milling of CFRPs and provide the means to select effective milling parameters to improve the technology and economics of the process.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank E. Pfefferkorn ◽  
Yung C. Shin ◽  
Yinggang Tian ◽  
Frank P. Incropera

Laser-assisted machining (LAM) of magnesia-partially-stabilized zirconia (PSZ) is investigated to determine the effect of heating on machinability, as determined by tool wear, cutting energy, surface integrity, and material removal mechanisms. It is found that PSZ can be successfully machined with a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride tool and that tool life increases with material removal temperature up to a maximum of 121 minutes. The benefit of laser-assistance in material removal is also demonstrated by the 2.5 fold decrease in the specific cutting energy with increased temperature. It is shown surface roughness varies significantly with tool wear with little dependence on cutting temperature unlike in LAM of other ceramics. Evidence of mixed brittle and ductile material removal mechanisms is presented, and the optimum condition within the test matrix is established.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Binayak Sen ◽  
Munish Kumar Gupta ◽  
Mozammel Mia ◽  
Danil Yurievich Pimenov ◽  
Tadeusz Mikołajczyk

The necessity to progress towards sustainability has inspired modern researchers to examine the lubrication and cooling effects of vegetable oils on conventional metal cutting operations. Consequently, as an eco-friendly vegetable product, castor oil can be the right choice as Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) base fluid. Nonetheless, the high viscosity of castor oil limits its flowability and restricts its industrial application. Conversely, palm oil possesses superior lubricity, as well as flowability characteristics. Hence, an attempt has been made to improve the lubrication behavior of castor oil. Here, six castor-palm mixtures (varying from 1:0.5–1:3) were utilized as MQL-fluid, and the values of machining responses viz. average surface roughness, specific cutting energy, and tool wear were evaluated. Furthermore, an integrated Shannon’s Entropy-based Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) framework was employed for selecting the most suitable volume ratio of castor-palm oil mixture. The rank provided by the TOPSIS method confirmed that 1:2 was the best volume ratio for castor-palm oil mixture. Afterward, a comparative analysis demonstrated that the best castor-palm volume fraction resulted in 8.262 and 16.146% lowering of surface roughness, 5.459 and 7.971% decrement of specific cutting energy, 2.445 and 3.155% drop in tool wear compared to that of castor and palm oil medium, respectively.


Author(s):  
N. Muthu Krishnan ◽  
D. Vikram ◽  
S. Kaushik ◽  
K. Prahalada Rao

The present work has been undertaken to study the tool wear behavior of poly crystalline diamond (PCD) inserts during the machining of Al-SiC – MMC; Al-Si alloy containing 15%wt of SiC was used for machining and PCD inserts of three different grades were used as cutting tools. The main aim of this paper is to explore the feasibility of machining conditions by setting the spindle speed, depth of cut and thereby determining the cutting force, surface roughness, power consumed, material removal rate and tool wear. The worn surface of the insert was examined by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influence of cut was examined for the PCD inserts.


2011 ◽  
Vol 325 ◽  
pp. 393-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Yousefi ◽  
M.A. Kouchakzadeh ◽  
J. Rahiminasab ◽  
M.A. Kadivar

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have received considerable attention due to their excellent engineering properties. However, poor machinability has been the main deterrent to their substitution for metal parts. The hardness and abrasive nature of reinforcement phase causes rapid tool wear during machining which results in high machining costs. In this study, the effect of SiC particles (5, 15 & 20 percent) on tool wear in turning process is experimentally investigated. Continuous dry turning of Al/SiC particulate metal matrix composite produced by powder metallurgy and utilizing titanium carbide inserts has been achieved as the test method. The influence of machining parameters, e.g. cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut on tool wear and cutting forces were investigated during the experiments. The results show that tool wear increases with increasing cutting speed, depth of cut and feed rate. The cutting speed and depth of cut are more dominant factors compared to feed rate on the tool wear. In addition, it is concluded that the flank wear increases with the increase of SiC percentage in the MMC.


2010 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 200-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.J. Wang ◽  
Ming Zhou ◽  
S.N. Huang ◽  
Y.J. Zhang

This paper presents an experimental study in high speed milling of metal matrix composites (MMCs). Machining tests were carried out on a high speed milling machine by using TiAlN coated tools and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond coated tools. The cutting tool wear was investigated using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that flank wear is the dominant tool wear mode and abrasive wear and adhesive wear appears to be the main wear mechanism. The build-up edge (BUE) exists during the machining process at a certain speeds. Cutting speed is a dominant factor affecting the flank wear. Generally, high cutting speed lead to severe tool wear, but there seemed to be a certain cutting speed which will cause the least tool wear. Furthermore, there exists a cutting speed limit for both TiAlN coated tools and CVD coated diamond tools in high speed milling of MMCs, beyond which the edge chipping will cause the tool failure very soon.


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