Experimental Study of Surface Integrity during Turning of AI/SiCp Composites

The quality of the components produced during the turning of AI/SiC_p particulate metal-matrix composites is important as it influences to a great extent the performance of the finished component. In a machining operation surface quality depends more on the variables of processes rather than characteristic features of the material. Hence estimation of surface roughness in variation to the machining parameters and minimization of the same has become an essential requirement. This paper deals with the surface integrity of machined AI-SiC_p MMC material with AI-6061 as matrix with 10%, 20%, and 30% SiC_p of size 10 to 30 μm dispersed uniformly. Dry turning tests, at different cutting speeds (19.6, 31.4, 58.8, 100 m/min) with feed rates (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3mm/rev) and depths of cuts (0.5,1.0mm) were conducted in order to investigate effect of various parameters on surface quality. In addition, the surface roughness of the specimens was evaluated with respect to volume fraction of SiC_p particles. The surface quality was evaluated by using K10, K20, P20, P30 carbide tools and poly crystalline diamond tools. It was observed that under certain cutting conditions, the surface finish was comparable to that of polycrystalline diamond tool, obtained with P30 carbide tool.