DRILLING STUDIES OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY–ALUMINIUM OXIDE COMPOSITES
Keywords:
Metal Matrix Composites, drilling, aluminum, aluminum oxide, surface roughness, high speed steelAbstract
Particle reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) are an important class of composite materials. Due to high elastic moduli, strength, fatigue and wear resistance, these lightweight materials have a number of advantages over ordinary aluminum alloys. In the present work, aluminum alloy–aluminum oxide composite was developed using vortex method and pressure die casting technique. The drilling studies were conducted on the aluminum alloy–aluminum oxide composite workpiece using High Speed Steel (HSS) drill tools in a drilling machine. The surface finish is better for higher speeds and lower feeds. The surface finish produced on the plain aluminum alloy is better than that produced on the aluminum alloy–aluminum oxide MMC. The flank wear increases with speed and feed. The drill tool wear is higher on machining the aluminum alloy–aluminum oxide MMC than that on machining the plain aluminum alloy.
Downloads
References
J E Allision and G S Gole, “Metal-matrix composites in the automotive industry: opportunities and challenges”, J Min Met Mater Sci., 45, 19–24, 1993
A Ravikiran and M K Surappa, “Effect of sliding speed on wear behavior of A356 Al 30 wt % SiCp MMC”, Wear, 206, 33–38, 1997.
Y H Seo and C G Kang, “The effect of applied pressure on particle dispersion characteristics and mechanical properties in melt-stirring squeeze-cast SiC/Al composites”, J. Mater. Process. Technol., 55, 370–379, 1995.
K Purazrang, K U Kainer and B L Mordike, “Fracture toughness behaviour of a magnesium alloy metal-matrix composite produced by the infiltration technique”, Composites, 22, 456–462, 1991.
H. Mostaghaci, “Processing of ceramic and metal matrix composites”, in: Proceedings of the CIM Conference of Metallurgists, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Pergamon Press, New York, 1989.
P R Gibson, A J Clegg and A A Das, “Production and evaluation of squeeze cast graphitic Al–Si alloy”, Mater. Sci. Technol., 1, 558–567, 1985.
M A Dellis, J P Keastenrmans and F Delannay, “The wear properties of aluminium alloy composite”, Mater. Sci. Eng,. 135A, 253–257, 1991.
P K Rohatgi, “Cast aluminium matrix composites for automotive applications”, J. Met. ,43, 10–15, 1991.
J Dinwoodie, “Automotive applications for MMCs based on short staple alumina fibres”, SAE Technical Paper Series, Int. Con. Exp., Detroit, MI, 23–27, 1987.
S S Joshi, N Ramakrishnan, D Sarathy and P Ramakrishnan, “Development of the technology for discontinuously reinforced aluminium composites”, in: The First World Conference on Integrated Design and Process Technology, vol. 1, Austin, 492–497, 1995.
M J Kocazac, S C Khatri, J E Allison and M G Bader, “ MMCs, for ground vehicle aerospace and industrial applications”, in: Suresh, et al. (Eds.), Fundamentals of Metal Matrix Composites, Butterworths, Guildford, UK, 297, 1993.
G A Chadwich and P J Heath, “Machining of metal matrix composites”, Met. Mater., 2–6, 73–76, 1990.
T Sornakumar, R Krishnamurthy and C V Gokularathnam, “Machining performance of phase transformation toughened alumina and partially stabilised zirconia composite cutting tools”, J Eur Ceram Soc., 12, 455–460, 1993.
