PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION OF CUTTING TOOL FLANK WEAR DURING HIGH SPEED TURNING OF AL 6061+ B4C (4%) METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE TURNING USING PVD COATED TOOL

This paper presents the influence of process parameters like cutting speed, feed and depth of cut on Tool Flank wear (Vb) in turning Al6061+B4 C (4% by weight) metal matrix composites using PVD coated cutting insert under dry environment. The experiments have been conducted based on Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. Optimization of three machining parameters cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut, was done using three levels. The study spotlights the determination of the optimal machining conditions and the predictive modeling for the response while dry turning. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that cutting speed (60.02%) is the most significant parameter followed by feed (37.42%).A notable improvement observed in Vb (4.503dB) after conducting confirmation tests. The optimal parametric combination for surface roughness is found to be v3–f1–d1. The mathematical model for Tool Flank wear is found to be statistically significant.