Optimization of End Milling Parameters for Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Using Grey Relational Analysis

Analyses of cutting tools (solid carbide end mill) behavior on advanced materials like Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) are very important in manufacturing industries. In this paper Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) approach was used for study and optimization of the machining parameters(Tool condition (TC), number of flutes (z), cutting speed (V) and feed rate (f)) on milling of GFRP in order to minimize surface delamination, machining forces, cutting torque and surface roughness. For this study; GFRP was fabricated by hand layup with 33% fiber and 66% general purpose resin. Experiments were designed & carried out as per orthogonal array and parameters were optimized using Grey Relational Grade (GRG). (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education