Some Studies in Metal Matrix Composites Machining using Response Surface Methodology

The present study establishes the relationship between cutting conditions and machinability characteristics during the turning of metal matrix composites (MMC). The investigation aims at determining the effects of cutting speed and feed rate on machining force, cutting power, and specific cutting force by developing second-order mathematical models using response surface methodology (RSM). Aluminum alloy reinforced with 20% of SiC particulates (A 356/20/SiCp-T6) were machined using a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool. The experiments have been planned as a full factorial design of experiments (FFD). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to check the adequacy of the mathematical models. The parametric analysis reveals that the machining force and cutting power increase with increase in feed rate while the specific cutting force decreases.