Abstract
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been steadily replacing metals as choice engineering materials for various applications. Although FRPs can be manufactured to near-net shape, post processing operations such as machining are required to create some features (such as holes). As FRPs are multiphase materials with complex load-response behavior, there is a need to analytical and numerical approaches to fully understand the machining process. This paper objective focuses on the development of the optimum cutting conditions leading to damage free drilling of GFRP using response surface methodology (RSM)[1]. For this purpose, a number of machining experiments based on statistical four-level full factorial design of experiments method are carried out in order to collect comprehensive data and analyzed using commercial statistical software MINITAB14. Finally, optimum cutting condition produced from RSM is verified with the experimental measurement for observing accuracy of the developed response surface model.
