Optimization of drilling output responses of eggshell fillers reinforced hemp/glass fibres hybrid composites

Abstract

The primary objective of this experimental investigation is to optimize the measured drilling responses during the machining of hemp plant fibres (HPF), glass fibres (GF) and eggshell fillers (ESF) reinforced epoxy composite laminates. The hybrid laminates were fabricated by compression molding techniques with volume percentages of eggshell fillers (ESF) of 7% and without ESF with hemp fibre bi-axial mat and glass fibre mat. The laminates consists with 3 layers of bi-axially weaved HPF’s and 3GF’s with alternate orientation. The experimental designs of all fabricated laminates were developed with the 3 levels and 4 factors (L27 – Orthogonal array) by using the MINITAB software. The measured responses during drilling operations such as thrust force (TF), torque (T), delamination at entry (DL) entry and delamination at exit (DL) exit of all fabricated laminates were measured. The obtained readings were optimized by using the traditional technique by using Taguchi’s in MINITAB.