Modeling analysis and optimization of machining characteristics of gfrp composites

Abstract

Nowadays, glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) composites play a vital role newlinein many engineering applications as an alternative to various heavy exotic materials. newlineIn GFRP polymeric composites, the matrix of polymer (resin) is reinforced with glass newlinefibers. Glass fiber reinforced plastics are increasingly used for variety of engineering newlineapplications from automobile to air craft components because of their superior newlineadvantages when compared to the other engineering materials. The advantages newlineinclude weight-to-strength ratio, high fracture toughness and excellent thermal and newlinecorrosion resistance. Though the technology of composite manufacturing is newlineadvanced, near-net-shaped components with the required surface finish quality can be newlineachieved only by machining. Surface quality and dimensional precision will greatly newlineaffect the parts during their useful life, especially in cases where the components will newlinebe in contact with other elements or materials during their useful life. Therefore, their newlinestudy and characterization is extremely important. newlineThere are significant differences between the machining of metals and alloys newlineand that of composite materials, because composites are anisotropic and newlineinhomogeneous in nature. Yet no special machines have been developed to machine newlinecomposite materials, still traditional metal cutting tools and techniques are being used. newlineIt was appropriate to study the behavior when machining GFRP composite with newlinedifferent types of tools and optimization of process parameters (Ex: cutting speed, newlinefeed, depth of cut and fiber orientation angle) influencing machinability to achieve newlinehigh productivity with low cost manufacturing. newlineHence, in the present research work, an attempt has been made to investigate newlinethe machining characteristics of GFRP composite tubes of different fiber orientation newlineangle varying from 300 to 900 in steps of 150. An investigation was carried out to newlineii newlinemeasure the surface roughness (Ra), cutting force (Fz), Specific cutting pressure (Ks) newlineand cutting power (P) using three different cutting t