Effect of milling parameter and fiber pull-out on machinability kenaf fiber reinforced plastic composite materials

Milling surface quality normally depends on the value of surface roughness and delamination factor. The milling parameters, which are cutting tool geometry and fiber pull-out, are the major factors affecting the value of surface roughness and delamination factor in milling kenaf fiber reinforced plastic composite. The objectives of this research are to study the effects of milling parameters, to evaluate the fiber behavior, and to determine the optimum conditions for a range of milling parameters in order to minimize surface roughness (Ra) and delamination factor (Fd) using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM with central composite design (CCD) approach was used to conduct a non-sequential experiment and analyzed the data from the measurements of surface roughness and delamination factor. This study focused on the investigation of relationship between the milling parameters and their effects on kenaf reinforced plastic composite materials during cutting process. Kenaf composite panels were fabricated using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method that was pressurized below 15 psi using a vacuum pressure. The results showed that the optimum parameters for better surface roughness and delamination factor were cutting speed of 16 Vm/min, feed rate of 0.1 mm/tooth, and depth of cut of 2.0 mm. The feed rate and cutting speed are expected to be the biggest contributors to surface roughness and delamination factor. Finally, different cutting tool geometries also influenced the fiber pull-out that affect surface roughness and delamination factor in milling kenaf fiber reinforce plastic composite materials.