Machinability Aspects of Nano MMT Deposited GFRP Composites to Minimize the Drilling Induced Delaminations

• Published in: Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India) Series C 2022, Vol.103 (5), p.1169-1175
• Main Authors: Juvvala, Simhadri Raju, Chebattina, Kodanda RamaRao, Venkata Ramana, V. S. N., Bommana, Divakar, Pathem, Uma Chaithanya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abrasive machining; Aerospace Technology and Astronautics; Composite materials; Cutting force; Drilling; Engineering; Epoxy resins; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Flow velocity; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Glass-epoxy composites; Hand lay-up; Heat affected zone; Hydraulic jets; Image processing; Inclusions; Industrial and Production Engineering; Machinability; Mechanical Engineering; Montmorillonite; Original Contribution; Polymer matrix composites; Process parameters; Rapid prototyping; Water pressure; Weight; Workpieces
• ISSN: 2250-0545; 2250-0553
• DOI: 10.1007/s40032-022-00861-5

Machining of composite materials is of great interest because of variety of reinforcement from high strength fibers to natural fibers. Drilling of composite materials using conventional or un-conventional machining methods will create the challenges in the manufacturing applications. Delaminations are major damage phenomenon which restricts the performance in many industrial and commercial applications. Delaminations can be minimized to the large extent by using abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining process dut to its advantages like no heat affected zone, high machining versatility and small cutting forces. In the present work, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were fabricated using Hand lay-up technique. Glass fiber mats and epoxy resin were modified by incorporating nano montmorillonite (MMT) as inclusions to enhance the end properties of GFRP composites. Nano MMT with weight fractions of 1.5%, 3% and 4.5% were deposited on glass fiber mats and sonicated in epoxy resin. The delaminations were measured with the help of Image Processing technique by using Software called “IMAGE J”. In the present work, an effort made was to find the influence of process parameters such as traverse speed, abrasive flow rate and stand-off distance were investigated on delaminations in abrasive water jet machining process. It was found that optimum water pressure together with moderate abrasive flow rate and stand-off distance between the nozzle and work piece may be used while the traverse speed should be minimumin order to reduce the delaminations. Also, 4.5% weight fraction of nano MMT deposited GFRP composite has less delamination factor when compared to the other weight factions.