T. Sornakumar

Machinability of hardened steel using alumina based ceramic cutting tools

Alumina based ceramic cutting tool is an attractive alternative for carbide tools in the machining of steel in its hardened condition. These ceramic cutting tools can machine with high cutting speed and produce good surface finish. The wear mechanism of these ceramic cutting tools should be properly understood for greater utilization. Two types of ceramic cutting tools namely Ti[C,N] mixed alumina ceramic cutting tool and zirconia toughened alumina ceramic cutting tool are used for our investigation. The machinability of hardened steel was evaluated by measurements of tool wear, cutting forces and surface finish of the work piece. These alumina based ceramic cutting tool materials produce good surface finish in the machining of hardened steel. In this paper an attempt is made to analyse the important wear mechanisms like abrasive wear, adhesive wear and diffusion wear of these ceramic cutting tool materials and the performance of these ceramic cutting tools related to the surface finish is also discussed here.

TURNING STUDIES OF DEEP CRYOGENIC TREATED P-40 TUNGSTEN CARBIDE CUTTING TOOL INSERTS – TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

In the present work, coated tungsten carbide tool inserts of ISO P-40 grade were subjected to deep cryogenic treatment at −176°C. Turning studies were conducted on AISI 1040 workpieces using both untreated and deep cryogenic treated tungsten carbide cutting tool inserts. The turning performance was evaluated in terms of flank wear of the cutting tool inserts, main cutting force and surface finish of the machined workpieces. The flank wear of deep cryogenic treated carbide tools was observed to be lower than that of untreated carbide tools in machining of AISI 1040 steel. The cutting force during machining of AISI 1040 steel was lower with the deep cryogenic treated carbide tools when compared with the untreated carbide tools. The surface finish produced on machined AISI 1040 steel workpieces was superior with the deep cryogenic treated carbide tools as compared to the untreated carbide tools.

MACHINING PARAMETERS OPTIMIZATION FOR ALUMINA BASED CERAMIC CUTTING TOOLS USING GENETIC ALGORITHM

Alumina-based ceramic cutting tools can be operated at higher cutting speeds than carbide and cermet tools. This results in increased metal removal rates and productivity. While the initial cost of alumina based ceramic inserts is generally higher than carbide or cermet inserts, the cost per part machined is often lower. Production cost is the main concern of the industry and it has to be optimised to fully utilize the advantages of ceramic cutting tools. In this study, optimization of machining parameters on machining S.G. iron (ASTM A536 60-40-18) using alumina based ceramic cutting tools is presented. Before doing the optimization work, experimental machining study is carried out using Ti [C,N] mixed alumina ceramic cutting tool (CC 650) and Zirconia toughened alumina ceramic cutting tool (Widialox G) to get actual input values to the optimization problem, so that the optimized results will be realistic. The optimum machining parameters are found out using Genetic algorithm and it is found that Widialox G tool is able to machine at lower unit production cost than CC 650 tool. The various costs affecting the unit production cost are also discussed.

Development of copper: alumina Metal Matrix Composite by Powder Metallurgy method

Copper (Cu)?Alumina (Al2O3) Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have been attracting researchers interest in recent years, since it can provide many advantageous characteristics. Cu-Al2O3 composite materials are extensively used as materials for products which require high thermal and electrical conductivities. In our experimental study, copper alumina metal matrix composite reinforced with 5 wt %, 10 wt % and 15 wt % alumina particulates were prepared by the powder metallurgy method. Porosity, XRD analysis, microstructure, hardness, wear resistance, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance of the composites were evaluated and discussed.

Sliding wear behaviour of Al-Si alloy-fly ash composites produced by powder metallurgy technique

Purpose Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are commonly used in many aerospace and industrial applications. MMCs possess significantly improved properties including high specific strength, specific modulus, damping capacity and good wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloys. The purpose of this paper is to describe the tribological studies of Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites manufactured using powder metallurgy technique. Design/methodology/approach Al-Si (12 Wt.%) alloy–fly ash composites were developed using powder metallurgy technique. Al-Si alloy powder was used as matrix material, and the fly ash was used as reinforcement. The particle size of Al-Si alloy powder was in the range of 75-300 μm, and the fly ash was in the range of 1-15 μm. The friction and wear characteristics of the composites were studied using a pin-on-disc set up. The test specimen was mated against cast iron disc, and the tests were conducted with the loads of 10, 20 and 30 N, sliding speeds of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/s for a sliding distance of 2,000 m. Findings The effects of load and sliding speed on tribological properties of the base alloy and Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites pins on sliding with cast iron disc are evaluated. The wear rate of Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites is lower than that of base alloy, and it increases with increasing load and sliding speed. The coefficient of friction of Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites is increased as compared with base alloy. Practical implications The development of Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites produced by powder metallurgy technique will modernize the automobile and other industries because near net shape at low cost and good mechanical properties are obtained. Originality/value There are few papers available on the development and tribological studies of Al-Si alloy–fly ash composites produced by powder metallurgy technique.

Development and properties of aluminium silicon alloy fly ash composites

Abstract Aluminium (Al) silicon alloy fly ash composites were developed using powder metallurgy technique. Aluminium silicon alloy powder was homogenously mixed with various weight percentages of fly ash (5–15%) and uniaxially cold pressed at pressures ranging between 200 and 515 MPa, and the green specimens were sintered at temperatures between 575 and 625°C. The various properties of the Al alloy fly ash composites were studied and compared with that of base alloy. The density of Al alloy fly ash composites was lower than that of the base alloy. The sintered density of the Al alloy fly ash composites and Al alloy slightly decreased when compared to green density. The hardness of the Al alloy fly ash composites was higher than that of base alloy and it increased with the increase in weight percentage of fly ash content upto 12 wt-%. Compressive strength of the composites was lower than that of base alloy and it decreased with increasing weight percentage of fly ash. The electrical resistivity and corrosion rate of the composites were higher than that of base alloy and they increased with increasing weight percentage of fly ash. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine the microstructural characteristics of the composites. X-ray diffraction pattern was used to identify various phases present in Al alloy fly ash composites.

Performance characteristics of ceria toughened alumina ceramic cutting tool on machining C30 steel

Abstract Recent developments in ceramic materials have introduced a variety of ceramic composites for many engineering applications including metal cutting. Ceria toughened alumina (CTA) ceramic composite cutting tool inserts were developed by sintering and subsequently hot isostatically pressing (hipping) the green compacts. The performance of hipped CTA ceramic cutting tool inserts was evaluated by conducting machining studies on C30 steel. For comparison, machining studies were also conducted using the hipped plain alumina ceramic cutting tool insert and a commercial Ti[C, N] mixed alumina ceramic cutting tool insert. The hipped CTA ceramic cutting tool insert exhibited better mechanical properties than that of the hipped plain alumina insert due to the higher densification achieved. The hipped CTA ceramic cutting tool insert showed better performance in its flank wear and surface finish of the machined workpiece than that of the hipped plain alumina ceramic cutting tool insert. The commercial Ti[C, N] mixed alumina ceramic cutting tool insert showed better performance in flank wear and surface finish than that of the hipped CTA ceramic cutting tool insert.