Studies on the machining of carbon/phenolic ablative composites

Abstract Face-turning studies were carried out on ablative (i.e. carbon/phenolic) composites using titanium nitride (TiN)-coated carbide and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. Machining force components (cutting force, feed force and thrust force), temperature and tool wear were measured during machining; cutting velocity, feed rate and depth of cut were varied. The aim of the study was to arrive at optimum machining parameters for the above material and assess its machinability characteristics. Mathematical models to describe the effects of the cutting parameters on temperature were developed.