Influence of cutting parameters during drilling of filled glass fabric-reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

In the present work, an attempt has been made to investigate the drilling behavior of the titanium dioxide (TiO2)- and zinc sulfide (ZnS)-filled glass fabric-reinforced polymer (GFRP) matrix composites. The volume fractions in the matrix were chosen as 1%, 2%, and 3%. Drilling has been conducted on CNC Vertical Machining Center. Speed and feed of drilling and drill tool geometry were considered as the varying parameters with three levels. Thrust force, delamination factor, and surface roughness have been considered as the output parameters and measured in each combination of parameters chosen. Results reveal that the addition of filler will increase the thrust force developed during drilling and indicate that drill point angle has a direct effect on the thrust value. Delamination factor increases with increase in feed and decreases as speed increases. Also, it can be observed that surface roughness decreases with increase in speed and increases with increase in feed. ZnS-filled composite shows less damage than TiO2.