Analytical modelling of cutting force in pulsed laser-assisted turnings of SiCp/Al composites

Abstract Particle-reinforced composites (SiCp/Al) are widely used in aerospace and military industries due to their excellent properties. Heating SiCp/Al with a pulsed laser softens the material, which reduces cutting forces, decreases tool wear and improves surface quality. During pulsed laser heating-assisted cutting of SiCp/Al, the modeling of cutting force prediction is complicated by the laser's involvement in the material temperature increase and its property changes. Therefore, a cutting force prediction model was developed considering the effect of laser heating on the properties of SiCp/Al materials. First, the source of cutting force of common cutting SiCp/Al is analyzed and the cutting force model of common cutting SiCp/Al is established. Secondly, the cutting temperature of pulsed laser heating-assisted cutting of 25% SiCp/Al was measured experimentally. Finally, the temperature-susceptible parameters were correlated with the temperature of pulsed laser heating-assisted cutting of SiCp/Al and introduced into the cutting force model for ordinary cutting of SiCp/Al, so as to obtain a cutting force model that takes into account the effect of laser heating on the performance of SiCp/Al, and experimental verification was carried out. The error between the predicted and experimental values is within 20%, which proves the feasibility of the prediction model and provides a theoretical basis for the back-sequence pulsed laser heating-assisted cutting of SiCp/Al.