Machining studies on end milling of epoxy granite composites

Abstract

Machine tool structures manufactured by conventional materials newlinelike cast iron and other metals exhibit sufficient strength, stiffness and newlinestability but possess lesser damping capabilities that limit their overall newlineperformance and functionality. Several research investigations in the field of newlinematerials science during the recent past have led to the invention of alternate newlineand novel composite materials with tailor made properties to meet the desired newlineneeds of various applications. Epoxy granite, a particle reinforced polymer newlinecomposite material with excellent damping characteristics, has evolved as an newlinealternate composite material in the development of machine tool structures newlinewithout any trade-off among strength, stiffness and stability. Machine tool newlineconstructions made from epoxy granite composites are manufactured by newlinemolding, and the finished products are not near net form, necessitating newlinesupplementary machining processes such as milling, drilling, and tapping for newlineassembly. This research investigation pre-dominantly focuses on the newlinemachining characteristics and performance of epoxy granite composites by newlinecarrying out end milling under dry machining conditions. newline