Experimental Investigation of the Machinability of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites and the Effect of Nanoparticle Additives on Machining Quality

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 274 - 290, 31.08.2025

Mehmet Tongur , Necati Ataberk

Abstract

In this study, basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composite materials were produced using hand lay-up and vacuum infusion methods, both in their unreinforced form and with the addition of 0.25 wt% MWCNT and 0.5 wt% h-BN nanoparticles. Additionally, hybrid basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites were manufactured by keeping the MWCNT content constant at 0.25 wt% while varying the h-BN reinforcement levels to 0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 0.75 wt%. The effects of nanoparticle reinforcement, cutting speed, and feed rate on parameters such as cutting force, delamination, and average surface roughness (Ra) during drilling processes were investigated. Among the cutting forces observed, the lowest thrust forces during drilling were achieved for all samples at a feed rate of 300 mm/min and a spindle speed of 4800 rpm. When comparing reinforcement levels, the lowest cutting force values were obtained in sample N5, which contained the highest h-BN nanoparticle reinforcement. In terms of surface roughness, the lowest value of 0.95 μm was achieved for sample N5 at a feed rate of 300 mm/min and a spindle speed of 4800 rpm during the drilling process. Regarding delamination, it was observed that increasing h-BN content, combined with low feed rates and high spindle speeds, reduced delamination damage in both drilling and milling processes.

Keywords

Basalt fiber fabric , MWCNT nanoparticles , Delamination damage , Hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles , Surface roughness , Drilling

Ethical Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest

Supporting Institution

NECMETTİN ERBAKAN ÜNİVERİSİTESİ

Project Number

221451002

Thanks

This study was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University under project number 221451002.

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