Impact of nanoclay filler reinforcement on CFRP composite performance during abrasive water jet machining

This paper aims to examine the influence of nanoclay as secondary reinforcement in carbon epoxy (CFRP) composite on the abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) response for the process parameters, namely, jet pressure (96 and 304 MPa), traverse rate (50, 100, and 150 mm/min), and nanoclay (0.00, 1.25, and 2.50 wt%). The most dominating parameters for AWJM response such as average surface roughness (Ra) characteristics, kerf taper (KT) formation, and material removal rate (MRR) of CFRP plates were investigated by adopting the Taguchi-based statistical method. ANOVA was utilized to obtain the influence of input factors on the process response. Traverse rate was attained as the most considerable factor for all the AWJM response. CFRP embedded with nanoclay showed relatively lower KT formation, Ra, and MRR than the CFRP laminate without nanoclay. Traverse rate with 150 mm/min showed higher Ra, KT formation and MRR compared to 50 and 100 mm/min. Jet pressure with 304 MPa showed lower Ra and KT formation while provided better MRR. The microstructure analysis of the machined surface was illustrated applying FESEM.