Studies on the machining of carbon phenolic ablative composites

Face-turning studies were carried out on ablative (i.e. carbon/phenolic) co mposites using titanium nitride (TiN)-coated carbide and polycrystalline di amond (PCD) tools. Machining force components (cutting force, feed force an d thrust force), temperature and tool wear were measured during machining; cutting velocity, feed rate and depth of cut were varied. The aim of the st udy was to arrive at optimum machining parameters for the above material an d assess its machinability characteristics. Mathematical models to describe the effects of the cutting parameters on temperature were developed. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.