Effect of process parameters in surface roughness during turning of GFRP pipes using PCD insert tool

Abstract

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite pipes are finding its increased applications in variety of engineering applications such as water softening plants, desalination plants, paper mill industry, marine water treatments. However, the users of FRP are facing difficulties to machine it, because of fiber de-lamination, fiber pull out, short tool life, matrix de-bonding and formation of powder like chips. The present investigation focuses on the effect of process parameters for surface roughness of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite pipes. Experiments were conducted based on the high speed turning centre (CNC) using poly-crystalline diamond (PCD) tool. The process parameters considered were cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and work piece type (E-Glass mat and E-Glass woven specimen). Both pipes are fabricated using the filament winding process. The pipe consists of 70 percent epoxy polyester resin and 30 percent glass fiber. A comparative study has been undergone between the E-Glass woven and E-Glass mat fiber reinforced composite material. The mechanical properties were also conducted as per ASTM standards. Based on the results, it was observed that good machinability was obtained at lower cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut for mat fiber reinforced GFRP pipe and at high cutting speed, lower feed rate, depth of cut for mat fiber reinforced GFRP pipe.