Experimental investigation and optimisation in drilling of GFRP composites

Glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials are one of the important materials and are economic alternative to engineering materials because of their superior properties. This paper presents an effective approach for the optimisation of drilling parameters with multiple performance characteristics based on the Tagugch’s method with grey relational analysis. Taguchi’s L16, 4-level orthogonal array has been used for the experimentation. The drilling parameters such as spindle speed and feed rate are optimised with consideration of multiple performance characteristics, such as thrust force, workpiece surface roughness and delamination factor. Response table and response graph are used for the analysis. The analysis of grey relational grade indicates that feed rate is the more influential parameter than spindle speed. The results indicate that the performance of drilling process can be improved effectively through this approach.

► Thrust force, surface roughness and delamination are measured for GFRP composites.
► Minimising the above responses simultaneously is very difficult and is analysed.
► Experimental investigation is carried out using Taguchi’s method.
► Grey relational analysis is applied to examine the multiple quality characteristics.
► The optimisation study carried out for this kind of materials is new.