Tool Wear in Turning of Graphitic Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

This study presents an experimental investigation on tool wear in machining Al 2219/15SiCp and Al 2219/15SiCp-3Gr (hybrid) composites at different cutting conditions with carbide, coated carbide, and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. An attempt is made in the present investigation to study the effect of graphite incorporation in Al 2219/15SiCp composite on tool wear. The results reveal that the incorporation of graphite in Al 2219/15SiCp composite reduces tool wear at all cutting conditions. This is due to graphite, which reduces the coefficient of friction between tool and workpiece and between tool and chip interface. PCD tool performs better than carbide and coated carbide tools.