The objective of this research is to examine the micromachining responses of a hierarchical three-phase composite made up of microscale glass fibers that are held together by an epoxy matrix, laden with nanoscale graphene platelets (GPL). To this end, micromilling experiments are performed on both a hierarchical graphene composite as well as on a baseline two-phase glass fiber composite without the graphene additive. The composite microstructure is characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. Tool wear, chip morphology, cutting force, surface roughness, and fiber–matrix debonding are employed as machinability measures. In general, the tool wear, cutting forces, surface roughness, and extent of debonding are all seen to be lower for the hierarchical graphene composite. These improvements are attributed to the fact that GPL improve the thermal conductivity of the matrix, provide lubrication at the tool–chip interface, and also improve the interface strength between the glass fibers and the matrix. Thus, the addition of graphene to a conventional two-phase glass fiber epoxy composite is seen to improve not only its mechanical properties but also its machinability.
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February 2015
Research-Article
Micromilling Responses of Hierarchical Graphene Composites
Bryan Chu,
Bryan Chu
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: chub3@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: chub3@rpi.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Johnson Samuel,
Johnson Samuel
1
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: samuej2@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: samuej2@rpi.edu
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Nikhil Koratkar
Nikhil Koratkar
Professor
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: koratn@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: koratn@rpi.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Bryan Chu
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: chub3@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: chub3@rpi.edu
Johnson Samuel
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: samuej2@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: samuej2@rpi.edu
Nikhil Koratkar
Professor
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: koratn@rpi.edu
Department of Mechanical Aerospace
and Nuclear Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
,110 8th Street
,Troy, NY 12180
e-mail: koratn@rpi.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Manufacturing Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Manuscript received April 24, 2013; final manuscript received August 20, 2014; published online November 26, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Burak Ozdoganlar.
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. Feb 2015, 137(1): 011002 (9 pages)
Published Online: February 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
April 24, 2013
Revision Received:
August 20, 2014
Online:
November 26, 2014
Citation
Chu, B., Samuel, J., and Koratkar, N. (February 1, 2015). "Micromilling Responses of Hierarchical Graphene Composites." ASME. J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. February 2015; 137(1): 011002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028480
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