Abrasive Water Jet Machining and Mechanical Behavior of Banyan Tree Saw Dust Powder Loaded Polypropylene Green Composites

Banyan tree saw dust powder (BSD) filled Polypropylene (PP) green composites have been fabricated with varying amounts viz., 0%, 20%, and 40% of BSD particulate filler by using a co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The mechanical properties such as surface hardness, tensile behavior, and impact strength of the fabricated PP/BSD green composites have been studied in order to standardize the composites. Abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining has been reported mainly for ceramics, concrete, and glass but not much literature is available on AWJ machining of polymer composites. This research is aimed at examining the AWJ machining of green polymer composites. The effect of BSD loading on the AWJ machining behavior of the PP/BSD green composites has been investigated. Furthermore, the effect of addition of 4% maleic anhydride grafted PP (coupling agent) and 4% talc (mineral filler) on the machining behavior of PP/BSD composites has also been evaluated. Surface roughness and optical micrographs of the AWJ cut composite specimens were examined to assess the effect of BSD content, AWJ traverse speed and pressure on the machining behavior of the composites. In order to probe the mechanism of AWJ machining behavior of PP/BSD composites, the kerf width and taper have been measured and results are correlated. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers