Unconventional Machining of ceramic matrix Composites – A review

With an increase in demand for materials that are lightweight, thermally stable, and can sustain higher temperatures, ceramic matrix composites or CMC’s turned out to be potential candidates however, the major challenge with these materials was the manufacturing aspect and so, there was a demand for machining methods which could easily machine these materials without having much tool wear, provide higher material removal rate (MRR), and produce low surface roughness. Conventional machining (CM) processes like milling, grinding, drilling, and so on were turning out to be disadvantageous as the hardness of these materials is high and it results in excessive tool wear, high surface roughness, and low MRR. Recent researches in unconventional machining processes such as laser machining, plasma machining, electric discharge machining, and abrasive water jet machining, etc. are showing positive results when compared with CM. The current work presents a review of the unconventional machining process of these difficult to machine materials. The unconventional machining processes considered here are the laser-assisted machining process, rotatory ultrasonic machining process, and abrasive water jet machining process. Furthermore, it also discusses how these machining processes are better than conventional machining processes and it compares their MRR, surface roughness (SR), change in the properties, and also discusses the effect of these machining processes on the same parameters.