Journal of Applied Mathematics
Volume 2007 (2007), Article ID 51905, 12 pages
doi:10.1155/2007/51905
Research Article

Chip Thickness and Microhardness Prediction Models during Turning of Medium Carbon Steel

S. A. Alrabii1 and L. Y. Zumot2

1Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Applied Science University, P.O. Box 926296, Shafa-Badran, Amman 11931, Jordan
2P.O. Box 830342, Amman 11183, Jordan

Received 1 March 2007; Accepted 11 July 2007

Academic Editor: Ibrahim Sadek

Copyright © 2007 S. A. Alrabii and L. Y. Zumot. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Cutting tests were conducted to medium carbon steel using HSS tools with cutting fluid. The experimental design used was based on response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design. Chips were collected at different machining conditions and thickness and microhardness measurements taken and analyzed using “DESIGN EXPERT 7” experimental design software. Mathematical models of the responses (thickness and microhardness) as functions of the conditions (speed, feed, and depth of cut) were obtained and studied. The resultant second-order models show chip thickness increases when increasing feed and speed, while increasing depth of cut resulted in a little effect on chip thickness. Chip microhardness increases with increasing depth of cut. It also increases with increasing speed and feed up to a certain level beyond which further increases cause a drop in microhardness.