Influence of cryogenic CO2 on wood-plastic composite (WPC) turning-performance characteristics: a comparison with dry machining

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wood plastic composite (WPC) is an environmentally friendly wood material widely used to manufacture wood products for indoor and outdoor use. In traditional WPC cutting, a built-up edge is easily generated in the cutting zone, which negatively affects the machined surface quality. Cryogenic cutting technology can effectively suppress the formation of built-up edges in the cutting zone and improve machining quality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the cryogenic cutting properties of WPC. Cryogenic turning tests and dry turning tests were carried out on WPC, and cutting temperature, cutting force, and surface roughness were compared and analyzed. The results showed that cryogenic CO 2 airflow improved heat dissipation in the cutting zone and effectively reduced the temperature. Under the effect of cryogenic CO 2 , the strength of WPC increased, resulting in a higher cutting force for cryogenic turning than that for dry turning. Cryogenic cutting of WPC resulted in a smoother surface than dry cutting. During the WPC cryogenic turning process, increasing cutting depth and feed rate causes an increase in cutting temperature, cutting force and surface roughness. Increasing cutting speed also cause an increase in cutting temperature, but the reduction in cutting forces and surface roughness is beneficial. In summary, cryogenic cutting of WPC can achieve better surface quality than dry machining, and these results can contribute to practical guidelines for industrial applications.