Drilling Metal Matrix Composites

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tipped twist and spade drills, diamond plated twist and core drills, and the abrasive waterjet hole cutting process were evaluated for drilling aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with SiC fibers or particulates. The diamond tipped twist drills outperformed all...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ricci, William S, Swider, Stacy E, Moores, Thomas J
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ABRASIVES
AS077
COATINGS
CUTTING
Delamination
Diamond drills
DIAMOND WHEELS
DIAMONDS
DRILLING
DRILLS
EDGES
HARDNESS
Laminates and Composite Materials
MACHINABILITY
MACHINE SHOP PRACTICE
METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES
PE63102A
PLATING
POLYCRYSTALLINE
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Summary:Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tipped twist and spade drills, diamond plated twist and core drills, and the abrasive waterjet hole cutting process were evaluated for drilling aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with SiC fibers or particulates. The diamond tipped twist drills outperformed all other drills. Core drills were found to be viable alternatives for the production of larger holes in high volume fraction composites. Plated twist drills were viable alternatives for low volume fraction particulate reinforced composites. Spade drills failed due to low edge strength. Abrasive waterjet hole cutting was successful for rough, large diameter hole cutting. Recommended drilling parameters are listed for all of the above techniques. The failure of diamond coated drills used on metal matrix composites was found to have been due to diamond glazing by the hard and abrasive reinforcement material and loading by the soft metallic matrix. It was determined that the machinability cutting rate of metal matrix composites can be predicted by using the rule of mixtures and machinability data for the individual components of a composite. Presented at the Eastern Manufacturing Technology Conference, Nov 87, Springfield, MA.