Effect of Orientation of Reinforcements on the Quality of the Machined Surface in Machining Aluminium Composites

Abstract

The precision turning experiments of aluminium composites reinforced with SiC whisker reinforcements were done by polycrystalloid diamond (PCD) tools. The measure analysis of the machined surface was carried out with Atom Force Microscope (AFM) and Scan Electronic Microscope (SEM). The roughness values of the machined surface were measured by Talysurf-6. The results show that the orientation of reinforcements in the machined surface will directly affect the deformation mechanism of SiC whiskers, microstructures of the machined surface, and to determine the quality of the machined surface. In the five types from A to E of SiC whisker orientation, the orientation of case A easily makes to produce SiC whisker deformation by cutting off directly, and to result in the best machined surface. However, for the orientation of case E, it easily makes to induce SiC whisker deformation by pulling out or pressing into aluminium matrix, and to produce the worst machined surface.