This study investigates the machinability criteria of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites using ultrasonic machining (USM) and abrasive jet machining (AJM) processes. The composite materials were fabricated with varying weight percentages of CNTs, and their density, hardness, and impact strengths were acquired. The hardness improved progressively, whereas the impact strength diminished with the wt. % of CNT reinforcement. Subsequently, machining operations were carried out considering the material removal rate (MRR) and the surface roughness as the response indicators. The micrographs of the machined surfaces were also studied. The comparative analysis revealed significant differences in the machining behaviour of the CNT reinforced PMMA composites under USM and AJM. AJM exhibited higher MRRs, whereas lower surface roughness is achieved in USM.
Nanda et al. (Thu,) studied this question.