A Cutting Force Prediction Model, Experimental Studies, and Optimization of Cutting Parameters for Rotary Ultrasonic Face Milling of C/SiC Composites

Ceramic matrix composites of type C/SiC have great potential because of their excellent properties such as high specific strength, high specific rigidity, high-temperature endurance, and superior wear resistance. However, the machining of C/SiC is still challenging to achieve desired efficiency and quality due to their heterogeneous, anisotropic, and varying thermal properties. Rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) is considered as a highly feasible technology for advanced materials. Cutting force prediction in RUM can help to optimize input variables and reduce processing defects in composite materials. In this research, a mathematical axial cutting force model has been developed based on the indentation fracture theory of material removal mechanism considering penetration trajectory and energy conservation theorem for rotary ultrasonic face milling (RUFM) of C/SiC composites and validated through designed sets of experiments. Experimental results were found to be in good agreement with theoretically simulated results having less than 15% error. Therefore, this theoretical model can be effectively applied to predict the axial cutting forces during RUFM of C/SiC. The surface roughness of the workpiece materials was investigated after machining. The relationships of axial cutting force and surface roughness with cutting parameters, including spindle speed, feed rate, and cutting depth, were also investigated. In order to identify the influence of cutting parameters on the RUFM process, correlation analysis was applied. In addition, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the cutting parameters.