Predicting machinability parameters on drilling Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics using Response Surface Methodology

Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GFRPs) are new composite materials rapidly introduced in the manufacturing of industrial structures. The present study investigates the impact of cutting conditions, namely feed and cutting speed, and two different drill types, a helical drill and a 'Brad and Spur' special drill, on response cutting variables as cutting force and torque, delamination and surface roughness, when drilling polymeric composites. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied for developing predictive empirical models. These models were of quadratic polynomial form and exhibited excellent correlation possessing in this regard direct applicability in relevant industrial applications.