Wood filled plastics – machining and surface quality

Components made of wood plastic composites are used in exterior application, where in comparison with nature wood composite do not require further maintenance (predetermine to long-term usage for its physical and mechanical properties). Adding wood to plastic significantly increases mechanical properties (utmost stiffness), reduces thermal expansion of the plastic and decreases of cost. Design of product is not limited by material and technology and is possible to product different types of profile and shapes. Nowadays demand on wood plastic composites is with increasing character. For this reason, a better understanding of this composite material in regards to machining and texture of surface is necessary. The paper deals with a comparison of the surface roughness of Wood Plastic Composite with traditional wood (oak) after turning. Presented paper is focused on observation changes of average maximum height Rz with change of speed of feeds f and speed of rotations n_c (simultaneously compare predicted and real values of surface roughness parameter Rz). Experiment was realized with monolithic cutting tool made of high speed steel (EN ISO HS6-5-2) with positive geometry. Machining of WPC was in direction parallel to extruding axe, and verification sample in parallel fiber direction. Graphical evaluation of experimental values was realized using software OriginLab. Detecting surface quality was made using microscopic camera DigiMicro 2.0