Comparative Surface Roughness analysis of CNC Machining Operation on Epoxy Composite with and without the addition of 30wt% Sea Sand Particles

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this work is to investigate the surface roughness of 30% of sea sand particles reinforced epoxy composite and compare it with plain epoxy resin composite for improving surface roughness on drilled holes. Materials and Methods: Experiment was carried out for two groups namely Group 1 (Plain Epoxy Resin composites) and Group 2 (30% of sea sand particles reinforced epoxy composite). Sand can also refer to a textural class of soil and the same was used as a reinforcement agent. The sample size calculation was done using G power calculator and pre-test power is 80% mean value and standard deviation are 0.3 and 0.04 and 16 samples per group were taken for study.  Holes drilled in CNC vertical milling center (CNC drilling) and measured the surface roughness on the surface of holes.  The observations by drilling the both composites as per sample size and statistically evaluated. Results : It was inferred from the results that the surface roughness of the holes' plain epoxy resin composite was 0.194 µm and 30% of sea sand particles reinforced epoxy composite was 1.377 µm. The significance value obtained from statistical value analysis 0.032 (p<0.05) and hence there is significant variation observed between the groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, It is found that the surface roughness on hole’s surfaces of novel 30% of sea sand particles reinforced epoxy composite was 55% higher than plain epoxy.