Diamond tool performance in machining metal-matrix composites

This paper presents an experimental machinability study of the metal-matrix composites (MMCs) A356/SiC/20p with brazed polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools or chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond coated tools. The experimental procedure consisted of turning operations, during which cutting force, cutting tools flank wear and surface roughness obtained in composite workpiece were measured. The obtained results showed that PCD tools are important in cutting this composite type of reduced machinability. Actually, CVD diamond coated tools show short life, as tools wear evolution becomes very fast after coating rupture. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.