On the behaviour of reinforcements beneath the surface in turning of metal-matrix composites (MMCs)

A specific technical expertise is required to machine metal–matrix composites (MMCs). It is well known, from the literature data, that MMCs cutting involves high costs and high machining times due to excessive tool wear and possible subsurface damage. In recent years, the emphasis of research has focused on understanding the mechanics and mechanisms that are responsible for the behaviour of MMCs during the material removal process. These kinds of studies would be the most effective way of understanding the machining characteristics and deformation behaviour of the material. This work is a contribution to understanding the effects of two antagonistic phenomena that determine MMCs behaviour during the cutting process, such as the thermal softening of the matrix and the matrix hardening due to strain. To this end, a simplified model that describes the behaviour of the reinforcements beneath the machined surface is proposed and experimentally validated.