Experimental investigation and optimization of drilling process parameters for glass fiber reinforced composite material

Abstract

Composite material combines two or more materials and process newlineexcellent mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, epoxy-based glass newlinefiber reinforced polymer composite and polyester based reinforced glass fiber newlinecomposites are fabricated using compression molding techniques. The newlinecomposite materials are tested for its mechanical properties such as tensile newlinetest, compression test, hardness, izod impact test and water absorption test are newlineconducted and the values are recorded and analysed. It is found that the epoxy newlinebased reinforced GFRP composite provides excellent mechanical properties newlinewhen compared with the polyester resin based GFRP composites. Epoxy LY newline556 is used as the matrix material and HY 951, Methyl ether Ketone peroxide newlineis used as the hardener in the fabrication of the composite material. The newlinecoconut coir and rice husk are used as filler materials along with there in newlineforcing material and these fillers will have an efficient bond with the epoxy newlineand provides highest strength to the composite laminate. newlineThe epoxy-based glass fiber reinforced composite materials are newlinedrilled to find the optimum drilling process parameters. The drilling of the newlinecomposite material is carried out in a CNC drilling machine and in dry newlineconditions. Response surface methodology is used to optimise the drilling newlineprocess parameters and the thrust force is selected as the response. The thrust newlineforce is measured using dynamometer and the drilling process parameters newlineconsider in this work are the drilling speed, feed rate, drill diameter and fiber newlineorientation angle. The drilling speed is considered within the range of 500 to newline2000RPM and feed rate is considered in the range of 50 to 300mm per newlineminute, drill diameter is selected in the range of 4 to12mm and fiber newlineorientation angle in the range of 0-90 degrees. newline