Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are becoming an increasingly important class of engineering material which are finding applications both in the automotive and aerospace industries. However, their machinability is regarded as poor due to the severe abrasive tool wear observed during machining. Prior to an investigation into the laser-assisted turning of an aluminium/silicon carbide MMC, the machining behaviour of the material after pre-heating to 200, 300, and 400°C was investigated. The results indicated that at cutting speeds from 20–90 m/min the wear rate increased with increasing workpiece temperature although the wear mechanism remained one of abrasion. The presence of a built-up edge (BUE) was noted and a strong correlation found between its presence and the amount of wear produced. The results of this work show that within the range of parameters investigated, the pre-heating of the MMC had a detrimental effect on its machinability.

1.
Brookes, C. A., and Lambert, W. A., 1982, “Ultrahard Materials Application Technology,” (DeBeers), Hornbeam Press Ltd.
2.
Chambers
A. R.
, and
Stephens
S. E.
,
1991
, “
Machining of Al-5Mg Reinforced with 5 vol% Saffil and 15 vol% SiC
,”
Mat. Sci. & Engineering
,
A135
, pp.
287
290
.
3.
Cronjager, L., and Biermann, D., 1991, “Turning of Metal Matrix Composites,” Proc. 2nd European Conf. on Advanced Materials & Processese, Cambridge, Vol. 2, pp. 73–80.
4.
Gindy, N. N. Z., and Clegg, A. J., 1989, “Machining of Metal Matrix Composites” BNF 7th Int. Conf., The Materials Revolution Through the 90’s, Oxford Paper 32, pp. 1–16.
5.
Tomac
N.
, and
Tonnessen
K.
,
1992
, “
Machinability of Particulate Aluminium Matrix Composites
,”
Annals of the CIRP
, Vol.
41/1
, pp.
55
59
.
6.
Trent, E. M., 1991, Metal Cutting, Butterworth Heinemann.
7.
Wallbank
J.
,
1979
, “
Structure of Built-up Edge Formed in Metal Cutting
,”
J. Metals Tech.
, Vol.
6
, No.
4
, pp.
145
152
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.