The tool wear mechanism in machining of metal matrix composites (MMC) and its dependence on the percentage of reinforcements with MMC was investigated. Silicon carbide metal matrix composites of two samples were prepared by using stir casting method. Samples having 10 percentage & 20 percentage of silicon carbide particles (grain size ranging from 55 to 85 micron meter) by weight were fabricated in the form of cylindrical bars. Experiments were conducted in medium duty lathe by using poly crystalline diamond (PCD) insert of 1500 grade as cutting insert and the experiment was performed by using design of experiments (L27 orthogonal array) on two different samples and the parameters obtained were optimized by analyzing the power consumed by main spindle and surface finish of machined component. The results from machining of this fabricated Aluminum Alloy A356, reinforced with SiC particles MMC is highlighted in this paper. All trails were carried out with time duration of one minute. By setting these optimum parameters, tool wear study was carried out till the flank wear reached 0.4mm. The results showed that tool life was minimum while machining 20 percentage of SiC reinforcement MMC as compared with 10 percentage of SiC reinforcement. The tool wear images were captured by Cam scope with a magnification of 100X which supports the results.
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