Ultrasonically assisted turning of micro-SiCp/Al 2124 composite

Experimental analysis of conventional turning (CT) and ultrasonically assisted turning (UAT) of two varieties of particulate SiC infused aluminium metal matrix composite (217XG, 225XE) is carried out. The results indicate the amount of tangential cutting force reduction in UAT compared to CT is increased at lower cutting speed and higher depth-of-cut. UAT using carbide tools reduced the average tangential cutting forces by 60.5%, 29.5% for 217XG and 225XE, respectively. Surface roughness was improved in UAT by 33% and 52.5% for 217XG and 225XE, respectively. CT using carbide tool distributes more cutting forces in the radial direction than tangential direction compared to polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool. 3D finite element (FE) simulations with calibrated Johnson-Cook material parameters can describe the macroscopic oblique CT and UAT process of SiCp/Al composites