Investigation of drillability of SiC particle reinforced aluminium metal matrix materials

SiC particle reinforced aluminium metal matrix composite materials have been wideindustrial applications because of high strength and wear resistance as well as lightness. Thesematerials have been extensively used in automotive and medical industries as well asaerospace and nuclear applications.Machining processes have been greatly used to manufacture machine parts which havehigh dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality. Drilling is one of the importantmachining processes to produce cylindrical holes. Drilling of SiC particle reinforcedaluminium metal matrix composites have been studied by various researches. Results of thesestudies have provided useful information for industrial applications.In this study, drilling of SiC particle reinforced aluminium metal matrix compositematerials have been reviewed. According to early studies, experimental study was carried outto investigate tool wear and surface roughness parameters. It was observed that tool wear wasaffected by cutting speed and surface roughness by feed rate.The thesis was based on six chapters as follow:Chapter 1 provided general information about drilling process and its mechanics.Metal matrix composites and SiC particle reinforced aluminium metal matrixcomposite materials have been examined in Chapter 2.Chapter 3 reviewed studies based on the drilling of these materials and results werediscussed in detail.Chapter 4 gives details of experimental procedure and the results and conclusions ofthe experimental study were provided in Chapter 5.Chapter 6 contained general conclusions and some suggestions for industrialapplications.KEYWORDS: SiC particle reinforced aluminium metal matrix materials, Drilling, Tool life,Surface roughness