Cutting forces during drilling of a SiCp reinforced Al-7075 matrix composite

Abstract

Abstract In this study, an Al-7075 matrix alloy reinforced and by 5, 10, and 15 wt% silicon carbides were produced as a composite material using the stir casting method. An investigation of the hardness, density, and microstructure of the matrix alloy and the composite materials was conducted. The following instruments were used for the microstructure studies: optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The machinability behavior of the produced composite materials was investigated by using the drilling method with a three-axis computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling center. High-speed steel (HSS) and titanium nitride (TN)-coated HSS drill bits were used in the machinability tests. As drilling process cutting conditions three different feed rates (FRs) of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 mm·rev−1 and three different cutting velocities (CVs) 15, 20, and 25 m·min−1 were applied. The effects of cutting conditions such as FR, CV, reinforcement phase ratio, and cutting tool type on cutting forces such as thrust force (TF) and torque (TQ) in the drilling process were studied in detail. According to the experimental results, TF and TQ decreased with the increase in the CV and increased with the increase in the FR.