Evaluation of Drilling Performance of Unsaturated Polyester Resin

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) has the resistance against boiled water, acid and alkali, and hence, is widely used in corrosive environment and elsewhere, although fracture strength of polymeric materials is generally low relative to metals and ceramics. Despite the fact that polymer components are mostly produced near-net-shape, machining, particularly drilling, is often required to prepare it for assembly. In the present paper, drilling of unsaturated polyester resin is undertaken for the evaluation of machinability of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Observation of cutting force requirement, type of chip formation, and eccentricity of drilled holes produced are made. Formation of burr at the edge of drilled hole is also explored under varying cutting conditions.