Review: Various methods of machining advanced ceramic materials

A collaborative programme has been initiated recently under the title ‘Machining of Advanced Engineering Materials Using Traditional and Laser Techniques’. A first step of reviewing the ‘state-of-the-art’ of the various aspects of this venture has been undertaken, examining aspects of machining Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) by a range of methods, these including grinding, ultrasonics, abrasive water jet, electrical discharge and laser techniques. This paper reports on each and considers the trade-off between the material removal rate and the level of near-surface damage that these process involve.