Edinburgh Napier University

  Nanoparticles such as graphene have been added to various polymer matrices to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer materials that require complex designs on a microscopic scale. Micro-machining is used to process these nanocomposite materials to achieve high surface quality and dimensional accuracy while maintaining high productivity. In this study, a systematic micro-milling experiment was performed on polymer/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) nanocomposites to advance knowledge of the micro-machinability of these materials. It evaluates the effect of the addition of 0.1wt% GNP nanoparticles on machined surface morphology, chip formation, cutting forces, and tool wear. It is found that the addition of GNP nanoparticles changes the slot edge formation mode from burring mode to chipping mode.