Experimental investigation and analysis of drilling parameters of metal matrix (Ti/TiB) composites

The present study focuses on the drilling processes and its parameters of titanium-titanium boride composites which are optimized using Taguchi technique. The titanium-titanium boride composites aiming 20% and 40% of titanium boride (by volume) is processed through three different powder metallurgical techniques such as, spark plasma sintering, hot isostatic pressing and vacuum sintering, respectively. It is processed through the drilled holes in the composites of 1mm thickness using a solid carbide drill of 2mm diameter. The effects of process parameters such as, feed rate, spindle speed and processing techniques on the drilling thrust force and surface roughness are analyzed. The results reveal that the feed rate and processing techniques are the most significant parameters influencing the thrust force and surface roughness. High thrust force and surface roughness are observed for the composites with 40% of titanium boride (by volume) processed through the spark plasma sintering technique. Further, the wear mode of drill edges, workpiece damage and chip morphology are also examined.