Optimization of Al/B4C and Al/B4C/Gr MMC Drilling Using Taguchi Approach

Abstract

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) reinforced with B4C and Graphite particles are exceptional class of advanced engineering materials that has been developed to find applications as high strength, wear resistance and high fracture toughness MMCs are used in various applications such as automotive, aerospace and tribological applications. B4C particles of average size 90µm and Graphite of average 60µm is used as reinforcing elements in Al2219 by using stir casting technique. As reinforcing element B4C possess high hardness, machining is difficult, this paper presents the influence of process parameters like cutting speed and feed during drilling operation of MMCs and also surface roughness. Using three different types of tools such as TiN, M42 and carbide tool with no coolant. Taguchi DOE L9 orthogonal array is applied to find significance of cutting parameter using ANNOVA. Experiment conducted on CNC milling machine at various speeds and feeds the experimental results indicate that thrust force and surface roughness depends on feed rate. Burr height and surface roughness of the drilled hole was investigated in mono and hybrid composites. More discontinuous chips are formed when machining hybrid composite containing graphitic particles which lead to better surface finish than mono Composites.