An investigative study of delamination in drilling of medium density fibreboard (MDF) using response surface models

The delamination in drilling of medium density fibreboard (MDF) materials significantly reduces the performance and aesthetical aspects of the final product. Therefore, understanding the delamination tendency and the parameters affecting the same is essential for controlling the delamination factor. The present study investigates the relationships and parametric interaction between two controllable variables, namely, feed rate and cutting speed on the delamination factor at entry and exit of the holes in drilling of MDF. The experiments have been planned as per Taguchi’s L18 mixed orthogonal array and the responses, namely, delamination factor at entry and exit of the holes have been modeled using response surface methodology (RSM). Two types of MDF panels, SUPERPAN DÉCOR (melamine coating layer) and LAMIPAN PB (wood coating layer) were tested using cemented carbide (K20) drills. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to verify the adequacy of the mathematical models. The response surface analysis has been carried out to study the main and the interaction effects of the machining parameters.