Machinability of zinc-aluminum alloy5; zamzk5; alloy produced by powder metallurgy

Powder metallurgy process (P/M) is repeatedly reported as a near-net or net-shape manufacturing process with the ability of producing parts of complicated or intricate shapes with high required dimensional accuracy and high surface quality. However, some finishing and machining operations are sometimes necessary and must be done to meet dimensional tolerances or accommodate design features that can be achieved during compaction such as transverse holes, undercuts and threads. Therefore, it is necessary to study the machinability of P/M products. ZAMAK5 alloy is widely used in engineering applications in the automobile industry, particularly in the manufacturing of bushes and recently self -lubricated bearings which are manufactured by the P/M process. Therefore it is anticipated that studying the machinability of this alloy as produced by the powder metallurgy process is worthwhile investigating. In this paper, the machinability of ZAMAK5, alloy produced by powder metallurgy, under different cutting conditions of speed, depth of cut and feed rate is carried out. Surface roughness was used as a criterion for assessing machinability at the different conditions. It was found that specimens compacted at 475 MPa and having 1% addition of zinc stearates as a binder and lubricant gave better surface quality than those produced at 550 MPa compacting pressure,whereas at 1.5% addition of zinc stearates produced worse surface quality (i.e. Higher surface roughness than in case of 475 MPa compacting pressure). On the whole, the results of the experimental work revealed that the surface roughness at the different cutting conditions remained within the accepted level in industry, less than 2 microns. (author)