Abrasive water jet machining on Ti metal-interleaved basalt-flax fiber laminate

Abstract

ABSTRACT Machining of high strength and shock-absorbent Metal Fiber Laminate (MFL) becomes inevitable to attain the geometric shape and size, as to validate the functionality in various impact protection environments. A class of titanium metal laminate alternatively interleaved with high strength basalt and shock absorbing flax fibers have been machined with an abrasive water jet method. Machining experiment trials with WJP-water jet pressure, TS-traverse speed, SOD-stand-off distance, and AMFR-abrasive flow rate and parametric optimization on quality factors of surface roughness (Ra) and kerf ratio (KR) were done using a Central Composite Design (CCD)-Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Experimental investigation reveals that the surface roughness and kerf ratio significantly decreased by 27.59% and 9.16% as water jet pressure was increased to peak value. Similarly, abrasive mass flow rate raised to its higher value, the Ra and KR slightly decreased by a margin of 6.5% and 2.5%. However, a reverse effect on surface roughness and kerf ratio was observed as an increase of SOD and TS. Surface topology analysis reveals that the material removal mechanism of the Ti sheet is shear plastic deformation with plowing marks, that of basalt fiber is brittle fracture with micro-chipping, and that of flax fiber is bulk machining.