Machinability study of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer in the longitudinal and transverse direction and optimization of process parameters using PSO-GSA

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in aerospace industry in lieu of its high strength to weight ratio. This study is an attempt to evaluate the machinability of Bi-Directional Carbon Fiber-Epoxy composite and optimize the process parameters of cutting speed, feed rate and drill tool material. Machining trials were carried using drill bits made of high speed steel, TiN and TiAlN at different cutting speeds and feed rates. Output parameters of thrust force and torque were monitored using Kistler multicomponent dynamometer 9257B and vibrations occurring during machining normal to the work surface were measured by a vibration sensor (Dytran 3055B). Linear regression analysis was carried out by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), to correlate the input and output parameters in drilling of the composite in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The optimization of process parameters were attempted using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization-Gravitational Search Algorithm (PSO-GSA) techniques.