Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions

The machining of aerospace materials, such as metal matrix composites, introduces an additional challenge compared with traditional machining operations because of the presence of a reinforcement phase (e.g. ceramic particles or whiskers). This reinforcement phase decreases the thermal conductivity...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Boswell, B., Islam, M Aminul, Davies, I., Pramanik, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Professional Engineering Publishing 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54564
_version_ 1848759403256217600
author Boswell, B.
Islam, M Aminul
Davies, I.
Pramanik, A.
author_facet Boswell, B.
Islam, M Aminul
Davies, I.
Pramanik, A.
author_sort Boswell, B.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The machining of aerospace materials, such as metal matrix composites, introduces an additional challenge compared with traditional machining operations because of the presence of a reinforcement phase (e.g. ceramic particles or whiskers). This reinforcement phase decreases the thermal conductivity of the workpiece, thus, increasing the tool interface temperature and, consequently, reducing the tool life. Determining the optimum machining parameters is vital to maximising tool life and producing parts with the desired quality. By measuring the surface finish, the authors investigated the influence that the three major cutting parameters (cutting speed (50-150 m/min), feed rate (0.10-0.30 mm/rev) and depth of cut (1.0-2.0 mm)) have on tool life. End milling of a boron carbide particle-reinforced aluminium alloy was conducted under dry cutting conditions. The main result showed that contrary to the expectations for traditional machined alloys, the surface finish of the metal matrix composite examined in this work generally improved with increasing feed rate. The resulting surface roughness (arithmetic average) varied between 1.15 and 5.64 µm, with the minimum surface roughness achieved with the machining conditions of a cutting speed of 100 m/min, feed rate of 0.30 mm/rev and depth of cut of 1.0 mm. Another important result was the presence of surface microcracks in all specimens examined by electron microscopy irrespective of the machining condition or surface roughness.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T09:59:20Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-54564
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T09:59:20Z
publishDate 2017
publisher Professional Engineering Publishing
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-545642017-09-13T16:12:07Z Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions Boswell, B. Islam, M Aminul Davies, I. Pramanik, A. The machining of aerospace materials, such as metal matrix composites, introduces an additional challenge compared with traditional machining operations because of the presence of a reinforcement phase (e.g. ceramic particles or whiskers). This reinforcement phase decreases the thermal conductivity of the workpiece, thus, increasing the tool interface temperature and, consequently, reducing the tool life. Determining the optimum machining parameters is vital to maximising tool life and producing parts with the desired quality. By measuring the surface finish, the authors investigated the influence that the three major cutting parameters (cutting speed (50-150 m/min), feed rate (0.10-0.30 mm/rev) and depth of cut (1.0-2.0 mm)) have on tool life. End milling of a boron carbide particle-reinforced aluminium alloy was conducted under dry cutting conditions. The main result showed that contrary to the expectations for traditional machined alloys, the surface finish of the metal matrix composite examined in this work generally improved with increasing feed rate. The resulting surface roughness (arithmetic average) varied between 1.15 and 5.64 µm, with the minimum surface roughness achieved with the machining conditions of a cutting speed of 100 m/min, feed rate of 0.30 mm/rev and depth of cut of 1.0 mm. Another important result was the presence of surface microcracks in all specimens examined by electron microscopy irrespective of the machining condition or surface roughness. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54564 10.1177/0954405415583776 Professional Engineering Publishing restricted
spellingShingle Boswell, B.
Islam, M Aminul
Davies, I.
Pramanik, A.
Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title_full Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title_fullStr Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title_full_unstemmed Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title_short Effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
title_sort effect of machining parameters on the surface finish of a metal matrix composite under dry cutting conditions
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54564