Improving productivity through maximizing MRR in machining silicon nitride ceramic reinforced aluminium alloy 5052. (2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gopinath, M.; Senthilkumar, N.
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 79(2023)Part 1
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2023
• Subjects: Novel composite -- Stir casting -- Silicon nitride -- Material removal rate -- Green machining -- Uncoated carbide insert; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.542
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Highlights: A novel silicon nitride reinforced aluminium alloy composite was fabricated for light weight industrial application. Composites were fabricated by economical method of stir casting approach.. Productivity was higher for unreinforced alloy than the aluminium composite. Statistical analysis presents a significant variance among the unreinforced and reinforced alloy. Abstract: The research is to improve the material removal rate (MRR) during machining the novel silicon nitride (Si3N4) reinforced AA5052 aluminium matrix composite (AMMC) and comparing the MRR obtained with as cast AA5052. The present research work focuses on the fabrication of novel AA5052 matrix composite reinforced with Si3 N4 by conventional stir casting method. For machining investigation two groups are considered; experimental group (AA5052 + 9 %Si3 N4 ) and control group (as cast AA5052). For each group 27 samples were considered based on the sample size calculator. Addition of Si3 N4 improves mechanical strength and thereby reduces the MRR. Higher MRR is obtained during machining as cast AA5052 than the novel AA5052 + 9 %Si3 N4 due to non-inclusion of ceramic particulates. The mean value of MRR obtained for as cast AA5052 is 1.1074 g/min and for AA5052 + 9 % Si3 N4 is 0.7367 g/min. The significance value obtained from independent sample T-test is 0.002 which is lower than the desired p < 0.05. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, achieving a higher material removal rate is desired as it increases the production rate along with optimal conditions. But with inclusion of hard reinforcements in the soft matrix, machinability tends to be lower and hence less MRR is observed for the experimental group when compared with the control group.