On the surface roughness of Al-4%Cu/B4C metal matrix composites machined by milling operation

Abstract

In this study, the influence of cutting speed, feed rate and type of cutting tools on the surface roughness of the boron carbide particle reinforced aluminum composites in the milling operation was investigated. For this purpose, the composite samples were produced using powder metallurgy route. And then, the milling operations were carried out by using three different cutting tools at various feed rates (0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mm/z) and cutting speeds (100, 130, 169 and 220 m/min). Experimental results showed that the surface roughness of the composites decreased significantly by increasing the cutting speed for all tools. Moreover, it was gradually increased for all tools when the feed rate was increased at the cutting speeds of 169 and 220 m/min.