Drilling of Holes in Aluminum Matrix Composites at Dry and with the Minimum Quantity Lubrication of the Cutting Zone

Holes in metal matrix composites can be created by unconventional techniques such as EDM or laser drilling. However, these methods do not guarantee the quality of the holes, the production efficiency. The work carried out conventional drilling studies of aluminum matrix composite reinforced with ceramic fibers and the nonreinforced matrix. The tests were made dry and under conditions of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) of the cutting zone. Oil mist was applied external. The measured and observed machinability indicators were surface roughness, cutting force, hole shape error, and chip shape. It was found that the use of oil mist in drilling improves the shape quality and surface of the holes. The positive effect of lubrication decreases with increased drilling feed. Oil mist slightly reduces cutting resistance and does not change the shape of the chips. It is shown that by drilling holes in aluminum matrix composite under conditions of minimal quantity lubrication, it is possible to achieve such a quality that it is possible to eliminate roughing. An additional advantage of using oil mist is a smaller dispersion of test results, which shows that the treatment with minimal lubrication is more stable.