Machinability study on laser-based powder bed fusion processed hypo-eutectic aluminium alloy composite (AlSi10Mg + NbC)

Abstract

Understanding the machinability of additively manufactured composite materials is crucial for efficient manufacturing. The study aimed to evaluate the machinability of the composite material (AlSi10Mg + Niobium carbide (NbC)) using the Electro-discharge machining (EDM) process and to investigate the influence of different printing orientations on the EDM process. The Plackett–Burman design was initially employed to determine the significant EDM parameters. Subsequently, the Box–Behnken Design was followed to obtain the optimal settings on the EDM setup. The validation experiment based on the composite desirability approach confirmed the maximum material removal rate (MRRmax) and minimum tool wear rate (TWRmin). The identified configuration of 3 wt. % NbC reinforcement in AlSi10Mg, printed in the 0° orientation, exhibited the best performance in MRRmax: 146.43 mg/min, TWRmin: 0.00072 mg/min, and surface finish of 2.813 µm. These findings enhance the understanding of composite machinability and can assist in optimizing the EDM process for advanced materials.