Tasnim Firdaus Mohamed Ariff

Wear analysis of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) cutting tool in dry machining of T6061 Aluminium Alloy

Dry machining is an eco-friendly machining process and its importance in the manufacturing industries should be taken seriously. Machining without the use of any cutting fluid is becoming increasingly more popular due to concerns regarding the safety of the environment and reducing cost. Dry and wet turning of T6061 aluminium alloy was performed on a lathe by using Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) inserts as the cutting tool. Tool wear behaviour of Si3N4 cutting tool were studied with the aim of finding the optimum cutting conditions for both dry and wet machining. Machining was performed at four different cutting speeds; 292, 388, 518 and 689 m/min using two different cutting parameters (feed rate, f = 0.2 mm/rev, depth of cut, d = 0.1 mm and f = 0.4 mm/rev, d = 0.2 mm). Material removal rate (MRR) was also obtained and the temperature at the tool-chip interface were measured using an infrared (IR) thermometer as to see the effect of temperature rise during machining. Dry machining with smaller cutting parameters resulted in lower wear rates by 37 to 48% for all four cutting speeds. Nevertheless, reduction of wear rate by 38 to 57% was found from wet machining. The optimum cutting speed for both dry and wet machining of T6061 aluminium alloy using Si3N4 cutting tool was found to be 518 m/min for both cutting parameters. However, the optimum cutting parameters are apparently with the feed rate of 0.4 mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.2 mm. At the optimum cutting speed, the tool tip temperature for dry machining was higher than wet machining by 40 and 51% for f = 0.2 mm/rev and f = 0.4 mm/rev respectively. Dry machining of T6061 Aluminium alloy can be more suitable particularly at higher cutting speed with interrupted cutting operations.

The effect of powder sintering method on the densification and microstructure of pewter alloys

Pewter alloys made from tin, copper and antimony powders were sintered using microwave and conventional vacuum sintering. Three different compositions of the pewter alloy were used; 91Sn6Cu3Sb, 94Sn4Cu2Sb and 97Sn2Cu1Sb. The effect of densification and microstructure of the pewter alloys from varying sintering time and sintering mode were examined and compared. Samples were compacted at 40kN and sintered at 220°C. Samples in the conventional furnace were sintered 60 minutes and 120 minutes, while samples in the microwave furnace were sintered for 15 and 30 minutes. Samples sintered at longer sintering times resulted in higher density for both sintering methods. Microwave sintering produced samples with slightly smaller grain size than the conventionally sintered samples resulting in a better densification. There were no new phases formed from the sintering of pewter alloy.

Dry machining of T6061 aluminium alloy using titanium nitride (TiN)and titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coated tools

Dry machining is a clean machining process and it will be considered as a necessity for manufacturing industries in future. Dry machining is environmental friendly and safe to be performed. Regardless of decreasing tool life due to lack of lubricants, choosing dry machining over wet machining may be a wiser choice since the cost of purchasing and disposing the cutting fluids can contribute to a higher cost. Tool wear intensities of TiN and TiCN coated tools using both dry and traditional wet machining was studied with the aim in finding the optimum cutting speed from three different cutting speeds (318, 394 and 490 m/min) with a feed rate of 0.6 mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.4 mm. Tool tip temperature was also analyzed to see the effect of temperature rise at the tool-chip interface. TiCN coated tool performed better than TiN coated tool since the wear rate for TiCN coated tool is smaller by 40-48 % when compared to TiN coated tool for dry machining for all three cutting speeds. The optimum cutting speed for dry machining of T6061 Aluminium alloy using TiN and TiCN coated tools is 394 m/min. Tool tip temperature for dry machining is also slightly higher than wet machining by 19 and 32 % for TiN and TiCN coated tools respectively at the optimum cutting speed. Dry machining of T6061 Aluminium alloy can be a more suitable eco-friendly machining process particularly at high cutting speed for interrupted cutting operations.

Eco-Friendly Machining of T6061 Aluminium Alloy Using Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN) Coated Tools

Traditional wet machining methods using oil based cutting fluids and water based cutting fluids are currently being used widely in the industry. Since oil based cutting fluids contributes to environmental problems, water based cutting fluids were introduced to minimize these effects even though not extensively used everywhere in all parts of the world. Eco-friendly machining is introduced for making the environment a better and healthier place by reducing the amount of contaminants and pollution into the water system. Two biodegradable cutting fluids have been chosen in this study; vegetable oil (palm oil) and water based cutting fluids. The wear behavior of TiCN coated tools is studied for three different cutting speeds (333, 415 and 517 m/min) and at two different cutting parameters; depth-of-cut, d and feed rate, f (d = 0.2 mm, f = 0.4 mm/rev and d = 0.4 mm, f = 0.6 mm/rev). Wear rate for machining using palm oil cutting fluid is lower (longer tool life) than the wear rate obtained from using water based coolants. Palm oil has better lubrication properties compared to water based coolants which have better cooling effects. The optimum cutting parameters for machining T6061 Aluminium alloy using TiCN coated tool is found; 333 m/min (water based) and 415 m/min (palm oil) at a depth of cut of 0.4 mm and feed rate of 0.6 mm/rev.

Synthesis of pewter alloy from tin–copper–antimony powder mixtures by microwave and conventional sintering

Abstract Two compositions of pewter alloy were sintered using both microwave and conventional vacuum sintering, and the effects of sintering time, temperature and weight percentage of copper and antimony on the mechanical and structural properties were examined for both sintering methods. Microwave sintered samples had finer microstructures, higher densities, higher hardness and tensile strength compared to the conventionally sintered samples and traditionally cast pewter. By increasing the copper and antimony contents, higher hardness was achieved. Better mechanical properties were found after microwave sintering after shorter sintering times compared with conventional sintering, but longer sintering times resulted in better diffusion for both sintering methods. The microwave sintered samples in general were capable of achieving similar amounts of diffusion to those conventionally sintered for the same time. But the total sintering process is much faster in microwave heating than in conventional heating due to the rapid heating effect.

Study of TiC Cutting Tool Insert Using Microwave Synthesis

Microwave processing ceramics is emerging fast as a new field of ceramic processing and material synthesis. The past year has witnessed significant progress in the aspects of commercialization and application of the technology to new areas. Further research states that Titanium Carbide (TiC) is the best cutting tool due to its high melting point and by that reason this project aims to show the difference between conventional sintering, microwave sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). Two different compositions consisting of 97TiC3Ni and 93TiC7Ni were sintered using conventional furnace, microwave furnace and HIP. Density, hardness and microstructure analysis were carried out on these TiC inserts. 97TiC3Ni produced higher density and hardness values compared to 93TiC7Ni for all three different methods. Microwave sintering produced the highest density and hardness values compared to conventional sintering and HIP. Microwave produced samples with improved density and hardness in a shorter processing time which is 93% faster than conventional sintering and 50% faster than HIP.

Design Improvements in Underground Watering System for Small Local Farming Industries

The implementation of underground watering system is basically to supply crops with enough quantities of water. In Malaysia, most farming industries use sprinkler irrigation system. The water is only distributed over the surface whilst the roots actually need water the most. Thus, this research is conducted to design the improvements of watering system for small local farming industries by using underground watering system. Design improvements of the watering system had been done using CATIA software. The design had been fabricated using rapid prototyping/3D printer, tested and evaluated by conducting experiments. Four different plants were prepared and labelled as Plant A, Plant B, Plant C, and Plant D. Plant A and Plant C were not be equipped with the underground watering device while Plant B and Plant D were equipped with the device. The growth of every plant is measured in terms of height, number of newly grown leaves, number of flowers and number of fruits for the duration of 60 days. The plant equipped with the device has the quickest growth measurement (59.68%), continued to produce new leaves rapidly (89.20%), and produced the most number of flowers (19 flowers) and fruits (15 fruits) when compared with the plants without the underground watering device. The difference in growth development is very significant. Therefore, the underground watering system does have a positive impact in nourishing the plant from the root efficiently and can be used productively in small local farming industries.

Dry machining of brass using titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coated tool

Dry machining is environmentally friendly, clean and safe to be performed. Regardless of decreasing tool life due to lack of lubricants, choosing dry machining over wet machining may be a wiser choice since the cost of purchasing and disposing the cutting fluids can contribute to a higher cost. Wear rates, tool wear intensities and material removal rates (MRR) of TiCN coated tools using both dry and traditional wet machining on brass were studied with the aim in finding the optimum cutting condition from four different cutting speeds (207, 279, 372 and 498 m/min) with two sets of cutting parameters; depth of cut and feed rate (d = 0.1 mm, f = 0.2 mm/rev and d = 0.2 mm, f = 0.4 mm/rev). Temperatures at the tool-chip interface were measured to analyze the effects of temperature rise during dry machining. Cost analysis on machining cost per piece between dry and wet machining was performed. The optimum cutting condition for wet and dry machining of brass using TiCN coated cutting tool was found to be 498 m/min at d = 0.2 mm, f = 0.4 mm/rev. The tool tip temperature obtained from dry machining did not influence tool wear since the temperature rise is quite similar to the wet machining temperatures. The machining for the dry machining reduced to about 25-76% per piece when compared with wet machining.

Dry Machining of T6061 Aluminium Alloy Using Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN) Coated Tools

In metal cutting process, the use of cutting fluids, cooling and easy chip removal causes long-term effects of cutting fluids disposal into environment. Research has also proven the health hazards on manufacturing workers who coming in direct contact with cutting fluids. Currently it is highly competitive or end-user of metal workings fluid to reduce cost and improve productivity. Considering the high cost and problems associated with health and safety, it would be desirable if the use of cutting fluids be omitted. This study investigates the flank wear behavior of coated Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN) coated tools in dry and wet machining of T6061 Aluminum alloy with the aim of obtaining the optimum cutting speed for dry and wet machining respectively. By using specific depths of cut 0.2 and 0.6 mm with feed rates of 0.4 and 0.8 mm/rev respectively, the wear was investigated for 3 different high cutting speeds; 290, 360 and 446 mm/min. Results of dry machining was compared with traditional wet machining process. The temperature of tool tip, machining time and tool wear were recorded. Wear rate of the tool increases with the increasing cutting speed and parameters for both dry and wet machining. Wear percentage difference for dry machining was found to be 21-37 % (d = 0.2 mm and f = 0.4 mm/rev) and 41 - 58% (d = 0.6 mm and f = 0.8 mm/rev) higher than wet machining. The optimum cutting speed for both cutting parameters is 446 m/min for dry and wet machining. Tool tip temperature for dry machining is found to be 14 - 16 % higher than wet machining for both cutting parameters. It is observed that dry machining is suitable for high speed intermittent cutting operations.