Studies on machinability characteristics of al7075 al2o3 sic aluminium hybrid composites

Abstract

Composites are the materials with a potential for replacing heavier materials with light weight structures. Metal matrix composites can be adapted to have superior properties such as high specific strength, stiffness, wear resistance, high-temperature performance, better thermal and mechanical properties, fatigue and creep resistance than monolithic metals. Composites are now widely being used in many of the industrial sectors that lead for developments. Stir casting is a popular commercial method of producing metal matrix composites. This method is easy for preparing large sized products through mass production. The final conversion of the composites into engineering products is always accomplished by machining. As a result of this trend, machining study of metal matrix composites becomes very important. The word machinability means the degree of machining or ease of machining, which is judged by the magnitude of cutting forces, material removal rate, tool wear and tool life, surface finish or surface roughness, magnitude of cutting temperature and chip form. Machinability issues of aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have drawn major attention because of poor surface finish due to high tool wear associated with machining. Aluminum reinforced with ceramic particles of alumina, silicon carbide, titanium carbide and boron carbide are not easy to machine (turning, milling, drilling, grinding, etc.) due to their high newline