Title: Predicting machinability parameters on drilling Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics using Response Surface Methodology

Authors: G. Petropoulos, I. Ntziantzias, Pedro Reis, J. Paulo Davim

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 383 34 Volos, Greece. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 383 34 Volos, Greece. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GFRPs) are new composite materials rapidly introduced in the manufacturing of industrial structures. The present study investigates the impact of cutting conditions, namely feed and cutting speed, and two different drill types, a helical drill and a |Brad and Spur| special drill, on response cutting variables as cutting force and torque, delamination and surface roughness, when drilling polymeric composites. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied for developing predictive empirical models. These models were of quadratic polynomial form and exhibited excellent correlation possessing in this regard direct applicability in relevant industrial applications.

Keywords: glass fibre reinforced plastics; GFRP composites; drilling composites; cutting forces; delamination; surface roughness; response surface methodology; RSM; machinability parameters; feed; cutting speed; analysis of variance; ANOVA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2008.018984

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2008 Vol.32 No.2/3, pp.243 - 263

Published online: 27 Jun 2008 *

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