S. Madhu and M. Balasubramanian
The purpose of this study is for solving many issues in production that includes processing of complex-shaped profile, machining of high-strength materials, good surface finish…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is for solving many issues in production that includes processing of complex-shaped profile, machining of high-strength materials, good surface finish with high-level precision and minimization of waste. Among the various advanced machining processes, abrasive jet machining (AJM) is one of the non-traditional machining techniques used for various applications such as polishing, deburring and hole making. Hence, an overview of the investigations done on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GRFP) composites becomes important.
Design/methodology/approach
Discussion on various approaches to AJM, the effect of process parameters on the glass fiber and carbon fiber polymeric composites are presented. Kerf characteristics, surface roughness and various nozzle design were also discussed.
Findings
It was observed that abrasive jet pressure, stand-off distance, traverse rate, abrasive size, nozzle diameter, angle of attack are the significant process parameters which affect the machining time, material removal rate, top kerf, bottom kerf and kerf angle. When the particle size is maximum, the increased kinetic energy of the particle improves the penetration depth on the CFRP surface. As the abrasive jet pressure is increased, the cutting process is enabled without severe jet deflection which in turn minimizes the waviness pattern, resulting in a decrease of the surface roughness.
Research limitations/implications
The review is limited to glass fiber and carbon fiber polymeric composites.
Practical implications
In many applications, the use of composite has gained wide acceptance. Hence, machining of the composite need for the study also has gained wide acceptance.
Social implications
The usage of composites reduces the usage of very costly materials of high density. The cost of the material also comes down.
Originality/value
This paper is a comprehensive review of machining composite with abrasive jet. The paper covers in detail about machining of only GFRP and CFRP composites with various nozzle designs, unlike many studies which has focused widely on general AJM of various materials.
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M. Balasubramanian and S. Madhu
The purpose of this study is to bring out the machining characteristics of abrasive jet machining on carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites utilized in aerospace and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to bring out the machining characteristics of abrasive jet machining on carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites utilized in aerospace and biomedical applications. Biocompatibility materials such as carbon fibres and polyether thermoplastics, like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) are widely used in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Due to the heterogeneity, layered construction of reinforcing phase bonds with a resin matrix and abrasiveness of the reinforcing fibre, traditional drilling of carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFRPs) are always challenging task.
Design/methodology/approach
An investigation is carried out using abrasive jet machine for drilling PEEK filled with 30 Wt.% carbon fibre (CF 30) using threaded and unthreaded nozzle to study the effect of abrasive jet process variables on surface roughness (Ra) and delamination factor (DF). Pressure (P) and stand-off distance (SOD) as important technological abrasive jet factors were evaluated. It is found that higher abrasive jet pressure and minimum SOD maybe selected to achieve minimum delamination.
Findings
The study further reported that the threaded nozzle minimized the surface roughness by 43% and delamination factor up to 12%.
Originality/value
This study of experimenting and observing the machining characteristics of CF30 by using a threaded nozzle is being tried for the first time and the results are deliberated.
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M. Balasubramanian and R. Kumar
In friction welding of dissimilar joint method, few material compositions are not possible to weld effectively. For better dissimilar metal joining in friction welding, the…
Abstract
Purpose
In friction welding of dissimilar joint method, few material compositions are not possible to weld effectively. For better dissimilar metal joining in friction welding, the interlayer techniques are used by the third metal to increase the diffusion for suitable metal bonding. The interlayer metals are popularly held by coating, foils, sheet and solid rod form. The coating method needs more care for surface preparation with special coating equipment with high workmanship. In case of foil as intermediate metal, more care is neededfor holding between the metal; most of the time this technique has the possibility of failure by peeling off from the contact surface during high speed rotation with pressure during friction generation.
Design/methodology/approach
In this investigation, a copper coin was machined to a suitable size (transition fit) to suit the recess inside the SS rod. The mating surfaces of Cu coin, SS rod and Ti alloy were machined, polished to mirror finish and handled in friction welding machine. The purpose of the transition fit between the coin and SS rod is for holding the same intact before the beginning of the process.
Findings
Successful joint was achieved with good joint strength at less time. Empirical models were established to fin out the joint strength at any given parameter within the range of investigation
Research limitations/implications
The models developed can be used only within the range of investigation considered for experimentation.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the development of a method of joining any dissimilar joints
Originality/value
In this investigation, a copper coin was machined to a suitable size (transition fit) to suit the recess inside the SS rod. The mating surfaces of Cu coin, SS rod and Ti alloy were machined, polished to mirror finish and handled in friction welding machine. The purpose of the transition fit between the coin and SS rod is for holding the same intact before the beginning of the process.
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G. Subramanian, S. Palraj and T.M. Balasubramanian
The galvanic corrosion interactions of zinc and SS.304 have been studied in a tropical marine environment over a period of 427 days, under different area ratios. The galvanic…
Abstract
The galvanic corrosion interactions of zinc and SS.304 have been studied in a tropical marine environment over a period of 427 days, under different area ratios. The galvanic interaction of zinc and SS.304 are highlighted in terms of the corrosion rate of zinc or SS.304 resulting from galvanic coupling, and the susceptibility of zinc to pitting due to galvanic corrosion. The galvanic potential and galvanic current of the system are monitored. The corrosion products at the interface of the bimetallic contacts are analysed with XRD technique and the pitting/grooving on zinc resulting from galvanic corrosion is measured using a high resolution microscope. The weathering parameters and environmental pollutants are monitored to give an insight into the possible means of favouring the galvanic interactions. The results of the study are discussed in the light of the above factors towards predicting a mechanism for the galvanic interactions of zinc and SS.304.
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M. Balasubramanian and S. Madhu
The purpose of the study is to machine the composites at lower machining time with higher accuracy without causing delamination.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to machine the composites at lower machining time with higher accuracy without causing delamination.
Design/methodology/approach
Abrasive jet machining is the technology appropriate for machining composite materials to obtain good dimensional accuracy without causing de-lamination. The central composite design was followed in deciding the number of experiments to be carried out.
Findings
The influence of abrasive jet machining process parameters on machining time, material removal rate (MRR) and kerf characteristics were investigated. The experimental results proved the newly designed internal threaded nozzle increased MRR, thereby reducing the machining time.
Originality/value
Machining of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) is one of the challenging tasks given its non-linear and in-homogeneous properties. In this investigation, newly developed threaded and unthreaded nozzles in machining were used for making holes on the GFRP composites.
M. Balasubramanian, Thozhuvur Govindaraman Loganathan and R. Srimath
The purpose of this study is to understand the behavior of hybrid bio-composites under varied applications.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the behavior of hybrid bio-composites under varied applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Fabrication methods and material characterization of various hybrid bio-composites are analyzed by studying the tensile, impact, flexural and hardness of the same. The natural fiber is a manufactured group of assembly of big or short bundles of fiber to produce one or more layers of flat sheets. The natural fiber-reinforced composite materials offer a wide range of properties that are suitable for many engineering-related fields like aerospace, automotive areas. The main characteristics of natural fiber composites are durability, low cost, low weight, high specific strength and equally good mechanical properties.
Findings
The tensile properties like tensile strength and tensile modulus of flax/hemp/sisal/Coir/Palmyra fiber-reinforced composites are majorly dependent on the chemical treatment and catalyst usage with fiber. The flexural properties of flax/hemp/sisal/coir/Palmyra are greatly dependent on fiber orientation and fiber length. Impact properties of flax/hemp/sisal/coir/Palmyra are depended on the fiber content, composition and orientation of various fibers.
Originality/value
This study is a review of various research work done on the natural fiber bio-composites exhibiting the factors to be considered for specific load conditions.
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Sinziana Dorobantu, Ruth V. Aguilera, Jiao Luo and Frances J. Milliken
Felix Wortmann, Heiko Gebauer, Claudio Lamprecht and Elgar Fleisch
Nataraj Balasubramanian and M. Balaji
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and develop a scale for measuring employees’ perception on the sustainability of service organisations. With several companies…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and develop a scale for measuring employees’ perception on the sustainability of service organisations. With several companies adopting sustainability initiatives, it is prudent to measure the sustainability performance of those companies. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the sustainability measures and its associated challenges, this paper attempts to develop a scale to measure employees’ perception of sustainability of an organisation.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was developed and 977 samples were collected based on snowball sampling method. For scale development, this study randomised 586 samples to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and used the remaining samples for validation using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Findings
The existing literature on sustainability focusses on three dimensions, namely, economic, social and environmental sustainability measures. This paper explored the similarities of the three dimensions to serve as critical determinants for measuring employees’ perception of sustainability with the collected data from service industries. The EFA revealed that there were six factors for organisational sustainability with 26 questionnaire items. The six factors are as follows: environment management, employee-related sustainability, public related sustainability, financial sustainability, pollution control measures and governance sustainability. The identified factors were tested using CFA and the results are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
This paper will be beneficial for the academicians in sustainability and the policy-makers as it provides a scale to measure employees’ perception on the sustainability of an organisation. This paper adds value to the research by providing a six-factor measurement model for organizational sustainability of selected service industries.
Practical implications
The paper is highly beneficial to the organisations to measure employees’ perception on sustainability and ascertain their position in supporting the holistic development of environment and society, thereby improving the goodwill and reputation of the organisation.
Originality/value
This paper provides insights about measuring employees’ perception on organizational sustainability. A six-factor measurement model has been proposed for organisational sustainability.