Drilling of Tio2 and Zns Filled Gfrp Composites: A Taguchi Approach

1. Introduction

Polymer matrix composites are increasingly being used because of their high stiffness, specific strength and wear resistance. On account of their good combinations of properties, fiber reinforced polymer composites are used particularly in the automotive, aircraft industries and the manufacture of spaceships and sea vehicles (Pihtili Hasim, 2002). It is generally known that the epoxy resins with appropriate curing agents find use as products in protective coatings, adhesives, structural components because of their good mechanical properties, excellent chemical resistance, good wettability and electrical characteristics (Kishore, 2000).

The Optimization of cutting parameters on delamination based on Taguchi method during drilling of GFRP composite has been carried out by Kilickap (2010). The purpose of the work is to investigate the influence of the cutting parameters, such as cutting speed and feed rate, and point angle on delamination produced when drilling a GFRP composite. The damage generated associated with drilling GFRP composites were observed, both at the entrance and the exit during the drilling. The conclusion revealed that feed rate and cutting speed were the most influential factor on the delamination, respectively. The best results of the delamination were obtained at lower cutting speeds and feed rates.

An attempt has been made to develop empirical relationships between the drilling parameters such as fiber orientation angle, tool feed rate, rotational speed and tool diameter with respect to delamination in drilling of GFR–polyester composites by Rajamurugan (2013). The empirical relationship has been developed by using response surface methodology. The result indicated that the increase in feed rate and drill diameter increases the delamination size whereas there is no clear effect is observed for fiber orientation angle. The spindle speed shows only little effect on delamination in drilling of GFR–Polyester composites.

The work carried out by Palanikumar (2011) presents an effective approach for the optimisation of drilling parameters with multiple performance characteristics based on the Tagugch’s method with grey relational analysis. Taguchi’s L₁₆, 4-level orthogonal array has been used for the experimentation. The drilling parameters such as spindle speed and feed rate are optimized with consideration of multiple performance characteristics, such as thrust force, workpiece surface roughness and delamination factor. Response table and response graph are used for the analysis. The analysis of grey relational grade indicates that feed rate is the more influential parameter than spindle speed. The results indicate that the performance of drilling process can be improved effectively through this approach.