Investigation of effect of abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining parameters on aramid fiber-reinforced polymer (AFRP) composite materials

Purpose The purpose of this study was to optimize the surface roughness (Ra), delamination damage at the hole entrance (FdT) and at the hole exit (FdB) and kerf angle (K) in the drilling of aramid fiber-reinforced polymer (AFRP) composite material using abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining. Design/methodology/approach The AFRP composite was produced by the vacuum infusion method. The drilling experiments were performed on an AWJ machine using a three-axis computerized numerical control system. Machine processing parameters were determined as water pressure (2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 bar), stand-off distance (2, 4 and 6 mm) and traverse feed rate (150, 250 and 350 mm/min). Optimization of processing parameters in the drilling experiments was carried out according to the Taguchi L27 (33) orthogonal array. In addition, gray relational analysis (GRA) was used to analyze the complex uncertainty affecting the results. Findings Results of the drilling operations demonstrated that water pressure (P) was the most effective parameter, with 65.3%, 65.2%, 49.8% and 52.1% contribution rates for Ra, FdT, FdB and K, respectively. Practical implications Reliable results have been obtained with Taguchi-based GRA while drilling AFRP composite material using AWJ. Significant results have been achieved to increase the hole quality in the drilling of AFRP composite material. Originality/value The new approach is to present more detailed analysis by using Taguchi method and multi-decision Taguchi-based gray relation analysis in AFRP composite material drilling using AWJ. Thus, time and experiment costs are saved.

Automated summary

Reliable results were obtained using Taguchi-based GRA in drilling AFRP composite material with AWJ, leading to improved hole quality and cost savings. The new approach of detailed analysis using Taguchi method and multi-decision Taguchi-based gray relation analysis in AFRP composite material drilling using AWJ has proven to be effective.