Abrasive Water Jet Machining of Carbon Epoxy Composite

Ajit Dhanawade; Shailendra Kumar; R. V. Kalmekar

doi:10.14429/dsj.66.9501

Ajit Dhanawade Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat
Shailendra Kumar Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat
R. V. Kalmekar Naval Materials Research Laboratory, Ambernath, Mumbai

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9501

Keywords: Abrasive water jet machining, carbon epoxy composite, process parameters, surface roughness, kerf taper, delamination

Abstract

An experimental study of abrasive water jet machining of carbon epoxy composite is presented. Process parameters namely hydraulic pressure, traverse rate, stand-off distance and abrasive mass flow rate are considered for this study. Taguchi approach and analysis of variance are used to study the influence of process parameters on response characteristics including surface roughness and kerf taper. It is found that hydraulic pressure and traverse rate are most significant parameters to control surface roughness and kerf taper. Microscopic features of the machined surfaces are evaluated using scanning electron microscope and compared with sample surfaces machined by conventional method using diamond edge cutter.A set of process parameters is optimised to achieve minimum surface roughness and kerf taper. Confirmation tests are performed to verify the optimum set of process parameters. Defects like delamination, fibre pull out and abrasive embedment are also studied using scanning electron microscope.

Author Biographies

Ajit Dhanawade, Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat

Mr Ajit Dhanawade received MTech (Production Engineering) from Shivaji University, Kolhpaur, Maharashtra, India. Currently he is research scholar at National Institute of Technology, Surat, India. His area of research interests include: Non-traditional machining, composite materials.

Shailendra Kumar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat

Dr Shailendra Kumar received PhD (Mechanical Engineering) from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Institute of Technology, Surat, India. His area of research interests include: Abrasive water jet machining, AI applications in sheet metal forming, press tool design, automation, computer aided process planning, and manufacturing processes.

R. V. Kalmekar, Naval Materials Research Laboratory, Ambernath, Mumbai

Mr R.V. Kalmekar received MTech (Material Science & Engineering) from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. Currently working as a Scientist at Naval Materials Research Laboratory, DRDO, Ambernath, India. His area of research interests include: CAD, FEM analysis, friction stir welding and processing technology, residual stress investigation and related fatigue life assessment of welded joints, contour method of residual stress measurement, welding technology and testing of welded joints.