Surface finishing and damage in metal matrix composite machining

This work aims an experimental evaluation of damage and surface finishing caused by machining tools in metal matrix composites. The material was produced by hot extrusion of a powder's mixture. The matrix was an aluminium AA 1100 reinforced with 15% volume fraction of NbC. The machining was performed with hard metal ceramic and polycrystalline diamond tools. The machining damage and surface finishing effects on mechanical properties are discussed. Attention is given, to the applicability of standard roughness measurement procedures or mathematical roughness modelling that are normally used for conventional materials.