Modeling and surface texturing on surface roughness in machining LaPO₄–Y₂O₃ composite

ABSTRACT

In this work, lanthanum phosphate with a 20% yttria (LaPO₄/Y₂O₃) composite prepared by an Aqueous Sol–Gel process is machined using an Abrasive Water Jet Machine (AWJM). The machinability of this composite is studied by varying the input parameters namely Jet Pressure (JP), Stand-Off Distance (SOD), and Traverse Speed (TS) on Surface finish. Garnet of 80 mesh size is used as an abrasive with a flow rate of 85 g/min. The microstructural characterization study reveals the presence of new element YPO₄. This element enhances the machinability and reduced porosity in the composite. Microscopy examinations on the machined surface reveals that partial overlapping at low JP, poor surface finish at high JP and SOD, forged deficiency at maximum SOD and TS. The minimum levels of all input parameters are influenced to obtain acceptable Ra. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) on the kerf surface shows micro wear track and peaks. The Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) is developed for Ra to check the adequacy. From the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), SOD has a significant effect on Ra with a contribution of 53%. The influence of JP and TS on Ra is found to be 31% and 15%, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Abrasive waterjet machine
• LaPO₄/Y₂O₃ composite
• microscopic characterization
• multiple regression analysis
• surface topography

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to DST-FIST Sponsored Advance Machining and Measurement Laboratory-Kalasalingam University for their support rendered to pursue this research work.