Title: A study on machinability of Al Si7 Mg2/SiC_p metal matrix composite

Authors: Erol Kilickap, Ali Inan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Firat University, Elazig 23119, Turkey

Abstract: This paper presents the result of an experimental investigation on the machinability of silicon carbide (SiC) particulate Al Si7 Mg2 Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) during turning using fixed WC insert (TiN coated and uncoated). Al Si7 Mg2 alloy composites contain various particle sizes (10–32 µm) of 15 wt.% SiC_p were prepared by squeeze casting method. Optical microscopic examination, hardness, density, tensile strength and impact toughness measurement were carried out. The influence of machining parameters, for example, cutting speed, feed and depth of cut on tool wear and surface roughness were investigated during the experimentation. Test results show BUE is formed during machining of Al Si7 Mg2/SiC_p-MMC at low cutting speed, low feed and high depth of cut. In without coolant turning condition, the tool wear was mainly affected by cutting speed, increased with higher cutting speed. Meanwhile, surface roughness was influenced with combination of feed and cutting speed.

Keywords: metal matrix composites; MMC; composites machining; tool wear; surface roughness; machinability; turning; squeeze casting; machining parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2006.012353

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.463 - 475

Published online: 06 Feb 2007 *

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