Un-conventional machining of composite materials

Using un-conventional machining techniques in shaping advanced composites materials has generated a lot of interest. The fact is that, machining operations such as cutting and drilling, are difficult to preform on these materials with conventional tools and techniques because of their peculiar properties including anisotropy, low thermal conductivity and the abrasive nature of the reinforcing phases. Among the many un-conventional processing techniques laser and electrical discharge machining (EDM) have been proved to be effective tools in shaping some of these materials. This paper not only provides a systematic analysis on the machining efficiency that can be obtained by laser and EDM and the maximum depth-of-cut that can be generated by laser, the important issue of machining defects is also addressed. It is hoped that this study will be helpful to the further understanding of the machining mechanisms of Nd:YAG laser, excimer laser and electrical discharge method and thereby to improve the techniques in the processing of composite materials.