Machinability study of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using design of experiment technique

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for the surface delamination through response surface methodology (RSM) and analyse the influences of the entire individual input machining parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) on the responses in milling of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with solid carbide end mill cutter coated with polycrystalline diamond.

Design/methodology/approach

Three factors, three level face-centered central composite design in RSM was employed to carry out the experimental investigation. The “Design Expert 8.0” software was used for regression and graphical analysis of the data collected. The optimum values of the selected variables were obtained by solving the regression equation and by analyzing the response surface contour plots. Analysis of variance was used to check the validity of the model and for finding the significant parameters.

Findings

The developed second-order response surface model is used to calculate the delamination of the machined surfaces at different cutting conditions with the chosen range with 95 per cent confidence intervals. Using such model, one can obtain remarkable savings in time and cost.

Originality/value

The effect of machining parameters on surface delamination during milling of CFRP composites using RSM has not been previously analysed.

Citation

Jenarthanan, M.P. and Jeyapaul, R. (2014), "Machinability study of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using design of experiment technique", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 43 No. 1, pp. 35-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-12-2012-0088