Influencing the optimum AWJM key factors on drilling quality of biochar-interlaced glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites: Multi-response optimisation approach

In recent years, the inclusion of biochar fillers in the polymer matrix has been used to enhance the mechanical, dielectric and dynamic properties of the composite. High-performance structural components are often made using polymer composites. This work focuses on the development of glass fibre interleaved almond biochar filler (ABC-5, 10 and 15%) reinforced polymer composites through a hand layup process. The machinability of the composite was then investigated in abrasive water jet machining by considering the biochar filler quantity, water pressure (WP), traverse speed (TS) and standoff distance (SOD). The kerf angle (KA) and surface roughness (SR) were used to assess the machining performance. The addition of a biochar filler in the composite increases the SR and KA quality. The machining performance of the biochar-filled composite is better when there is an increase in water pressure and a decrease in SOD and TS. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) reveals that the ABC% significantly influence the SR and KA trialed by JP. The combination of WP 200 MPa with ABC10% composite laminate results in decreased values of KA (1.09o) and SR (2.754 µm). The ideal parameters for achieving lower SR and KA are TS of 20 mm/min, 3 mm of SOD, 200 bar of WP and 10% biochar composite in combination. Moreover, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images ensure the smoothness of the surface texture at high water pressure (WP) with 10% almond biochar composite laminate, cutting and finishing are smooth. The biochar fillers reinforced in hybrid composites exhibited good surface quality, free of pullouts and fibre delamination.