Effect of SiCp Reinforcement on Machinability of A356 Alloy Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Machining of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) is a challenge for manufacturing industries due to their heterogeneous constituents which vary from soft matrix to hard reinforcements and their interfaces. To overcome the difficulties in machining of MMCs, researchers are continuously working to find the optimum process or machining parameters. In this work, End milling studies were carried out in A356 alloy powder-SiC particles (1 μm) in 0, 5, 10, 15 volume % reinforced AMMCs synthesised by vacuum hot pressing (VHP) route.The influence of machining parameters such as cutting speed, feed and depth of cut on the prepared composites in terms of surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR) are measured from experimental study. Experiments were conducted as per Taguchi L16 orthogonal array with 4 factors and 4 levels.From the experimental result, it was identified that surface roughness varied from 0.214 μm to 4.115 μm and MRR varied from minimum of 1.11 cm3/min to maximum of 9.65 cm3/min. It is also observed that, MRR increased with increase in machining parameters and reinforcement quantity. Similarly, surface roughness decreased for increase of cutting speed, SiC particle (SiCp) reinforcement and increased for increase in feed and depth of cut. The optimum condition were observed in higher speed, lower feed and higher depth of cut on MMC with higher SiC content (15%) for getting higher machinability.