Analysis of drilling behavior of flax/PP composites

ABSTRACTThe current research investigation aims to use and compare three different population-based optimization approaches to optimize the operating factors of drilling process to reduce thrust force (TF) and subsequently delamination in flax/PP laminates. Five different tool point geometries and three levels of spindle speed (SS) and feed rate (FR) were considered. Analysis of variance indicated that drill point geometry was most significant parameter affecting the TF, whereas SS had the most negligible impact. Moreover, the lowest and maximum TF and delamination factor (DF) were recorded for the U-shape drill bit and 135°- point angle twist drill bit, respectively. The outcome of the experimental investigation revealed that a low FR value (0.05 mm/rev) and medium-range SS value (1500–1800 RPM) were optimum parameters for each drill geometry. Although all optimization techniques provided almost the same optimum values, but TLBO (teaching learning-based optimization) technique’s convergence rate was fast compared to others.KEYWORDS: Optimizationthrust forcedrillingnatural fibers AcknowledgmentsThe author(s) are grateful for the support and research facility provided by the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.