Investigation of the machinability of nanoparticle reinforced composite materials

In this study, by gathering the best properties of different materials in a single material, meeting the physical and mechanical needs, producing strategic materials having many uses; with nanoparticle reinforcement, more durable, lighter, different than usual and superior material properties / production processes were obtained. Composite plates of 8-layer flat braided glass fiber and epoxy resin with 0.1 % by weight of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) doped and undoped were produced by vacuum infusion method. Samples were taken from each composite layer completed; mechanical properties were determined by tensile test, density and burning test, hardness analysis. The effect of nanoparticle additive on elastic modulus, tensile strength, poison ratio, density, fiber volume ratio, matrix volume ratio, void volume ratio, surface hardness were determined. Test samples were prepared from pure and doped composite sheets at the same number and dimensions, and individual machinability studies were carried out under the same conditions. Machinability of the produced composites were analyzed by using manufacturing methods such as punching using different cutting profile punch and die, orbital drilling and milling using end mill, conventional drilling using different point angles, laser cutting and water jet cutting. In punching by punchs; Amatek (Load Cell) was used for load measurement, Fujifilm (Prescale) was used for pressure measurements, 3D laser scanning (Romer Absolute Arm) was used for dimension and surface controls. Drilling process using milling knife and drill was performed by selecting different machine speed and progress parameters on Makino S33 model CNC machine. Surface milling was completed using the ARION GEVS 500A NC milling machine. Cutting tool wear was determined using Zoller Genius 3s machine tool. Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-310 was used for surface roughness measurements and Mitutoyo 150 mm digital calipers were used for dimensional controls. The milled surfaces were examined with Olympus BX-53 PHAKO stereo microscope. Microscopic findings obtained from laser and water jet cutting were analyzed with Nikon SMZ 745T microscope. Thermal and mechanical damages, dimensional problems and sensitivities obtained from cuts made using Garnet abrasive water jet and CO2 laser methods were reported.