Effect of cutting parameters on cutting force and surface roughness in milling alumina reinforced Al–6Zn–2Mg–2Cu composites

Abstract

This paper presents the effect of main cutting parameters on cutting force and surface roughness in machining of alumina reinforced Al–6Zn–2Mg–2Cu composites. The composites were produced using powder metallurgy route. After an application of annealing heat treatment to these composites, their microstructural and mechanical characterisations were carried out. Then, machining was performed using the face milling operation with three different cutting tools and at various cutting speeds and feed rates for comparison. Results show that both cutting force and surface roughness increased with increasing the feedrate significantly. Furthermore, the cutting speed practically did not affect the cutting force in milling operation.

Keywords:

• Metal matrix composite
• Cutting force
• Surface roughness
• Machining