An investigation of influence of cutting parameters on three-dimensional surface topography in micromilling SiCp/Al composites

Abstract

Surface topography is an important characteristic of the surface integrity, and influences the performance and mechanical properties of the workpiece to a great extent in micro milling SiCp/Al composites. It is evaluated by three-dimensional surface roughness ( Sq) and fractal dimension ( Ds) in this paper. Based on the single factor experiment and the orthogonal experiment, the influence of process parameters (feed per tooth, spindle speed, milling depth, and milling width) on surface topography is studied. The results show that Sq is mainly affected by milling width and milling depth and optimal results for minimum Sq are: ae = 1.5 mm, ap = 0.08 mm, n = 12000 r/min, and fz=1 μm/z. While Ds is mainly affected by milling width and optimal parameters for maximum Ds are: ae=1 mm, n = 14000 r/min, fz = 1.5 μm/z and ap = 0.12 mm. There is a weak negative correlation between Sq and Ds. In addition, Ds is more sensitive to the main defects and in general a large Ds corresponds to a good surface.