Finite-element analysis of diamond turning of aluminium matrix composites

In this paper, a transient dynamic finite-element analysis was carried out to investigate the mechanics of diamond turning of an Al6061/'SiCp metal-ma trix composite (MMC). To achieve closer approximations, 8-noded isoparametr ic elements have been chosen and employed. The powerful skyline procedure w as used for storing the global stiffness matrix in conjunction with LDLT fo r solving simultaneous equations. The possible four encounters of the tool with the materials in the MMCs have been studied in detail. A new chip-sepa ration criterion suggested in the recent literature has been adopted for th e present analysis. The normal and shear stresses are analyzed for all four cases. It has been found that the theoretical findings are consistent with the experimental results and their significance is discussed in the paper. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.