Machining characteristics of nanocomposites

Nanocomposites were prepared with Al/Al-Si alloys (LM 6 and LM 25) as matrix and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 wt. % as reinforcement through powder metallurgy (PM) followed by sintering and hot extrusion techniques. Fabricated nanocomposites were machined on a Panther 1530/1650 lathe by using tungsten carbide tool. Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) was used to study the machining characteristics by using cutting force signal stability. Highest value of determinism (DET-one of the RQA parameter) was observed for 0.5 wt.% MWNT reinforced Al and Al-Si nanocomposites. This attributes better machining characteristic due uniformity of the signals. Also it is observed better mechanical properties at 0.5 wt.% reinforced nanocomposite and further reinforcement deteriorate the machinability and mechanical properties.