Performance analysis of unreinforced and reinforced polyetheretherketone with carbon/glass using polycrystalline diamond and K15 tools

Abstract

The polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites are high-performance materials. These composites have potential applications in various structural components. It is necessary to investigate the cutting parameters of PEEK composites. In this article, an attempt is made to investigate the effect of cutting parameters on the cutting force of carbon and glass fiber-doped PEEK and compare it with unreinforced PEEK when cutting with polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cemented carbide (K15) tools. The results of statistical analyses highlight that each machining force ( Fx, Fy, and Fz) is influenced by the main factors (cutting tools ( A), material type ( B), feed rate ( C), and cutting speed ( D)) and some of the interactions ( AB, AC, BC, BD, and CD). For the main factors, the material type has a higher effect on Fx and Fy, while Fz is influenced more by feed rate. Cutting tools have no significant effect on Fx and Fy. The regression models used fit 99.56, 92.75, and 90.65% of Fz, Fx, and Fy, respectively. Developed models show that the feed rate has a higher effect on machining force than the cutting speed. The model graphs illustrate that reinforced PEEK has a higher machining force compared with unreinforced PEEK when cutting with PCD or K15. Furthermore, machining with K15 tools increases the cutting force of PEEK-reinforced carbon, while it decreases that of PEEK-reinforced glass and unreinforced PEEK. The investigation of the interaction with the machining force shows that Fx is more influenced by AB, BC, and BD interactions. Fy shows similar results as Fx, but it is also influenced by AC interaction. However, Fz is influenced by all the interactions except BD.