Metallographic analysis of surface layer after turning with laser-assisted machining of composite A359/20SiCp
Damian Przestacki, Paweł Szymański
Quarterly No. 2, 2011 pages 102-106
DOI:
keywords: laser assisted machining, metal matrix composite, composite microstructure
abstract The composite materials of Al/SiC are increasingly used in various industrial fields such as automotive, aerospace. However, making full use of composite materials is possible when effective methods of machining these materials are known. Due to the content of hard particles, these materials are classified to the group of hard to machine materials. One of the effective method to achieve better performance indicators for making machine parts and equipment is hybrid machining, by which, using the existing way of working, improves machinability. This process is achieved by simultaneously feeding extra heat to the cutting zone, for example by using a laser beam. The work reported here focus on analysis the composite microstructures of A359/20SiCp (F3S.20S DurAlcanTM) heated by a laser beam and laser-assisted turned. During analysis of the microstructures of the composite material, the influence of the laser beam on the workpiece was determined and liquid, liquid-solid and neutral matrix zones were identified. The sample surfaces after conventional turning and laser-assisted turning were compared. From the surface layers of the composite there a zone of smaller contents of SiC particles during laser beam heating was determined. As the wedge works in the areas of liquid and liquid-solid, a reduction of the cutting forces, tool wear and the machined surface roughness is expected.