Electro discharge drilling of hybrid MMC

Abstract

In today's scenario, industrialists are seeking the advanced applications of metal matrix composites (MMCs) because of their superior mechanical properties. The use of MMCs provides better strength and impact toughness to the products and also lowers the material cost and weight. Researchers are making their efforts to introduce such a material which is economical in every aspect (e.g. cost, machinability, applicability etc.) from industrial point of view. In this study, electro discharge drilling has been carried out on a hybrid MMC (HMMC). Al based hybrid MMC (Al6063/SiC/Al2O3/Gr) was used as a workpiece material and copper was used as a tool material. The objective of this work is to investigate the effect of input variables such as current, duty factor, tool speed and flushing pressure on the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (SR) during the machining of HMMC. Design of experiments has been done using response surface methodology (RSM) and through holes has been drilled by using rotary tool electrode. The experimental results show that the input parameters have significant effect on MRR, TWR and SR. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.