A comparative machinability analysis of polyimine vitrimer, epoxy and polycarbonate polymers through orthogonal machining experiments

Abstract

End-of-life management of fibre-reinforced thermoset composites is challenging due to the difficult-to-recycle reinforcements and the irreversibly polymerised thermoset matrix; therefore, researchers proposed the vitrimers as a sustainable alternative to thermosetting polymers. Although the early results of the material scientists are promising, the machinability of vitrimers has yet to be explored. Therefore, this paper aims to present a comparative machinability study of polyimine vitrimer, pentaerythritol-based epoxy (PER) and polycarbonate polymers through orthogonal machining experiments. Reflecting on the temperature-dependent properties of vitrimers, the starting temperature of the cutting tool was varied between room temperature and an elevated temperature above 155 °C. The cutting tool was heated by a 2000-W hot air gun until the surface temperature of the cutting tool, monitored by a VariocamHD thermographic IR camera (with Jenoptik IR 1.0/60 LW lens) and checked by a Fluke 51 II thermometer with a type K thermocouple, was permanently above 155 °C for 5 min. The cutting force was measured by a Kistler 9257B dynamometer, and the machined surface was characterised by a Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-400 surface roughness tester and Keyence VHX-5000 (with VH-Z20UT VH lens) microscope. The analysis of variances (ANOVA) results show that the sustainable vitrimer polymer is an appropriate substitute for thermosetting epoxy polymers, especially at low cutting temperatures.