Machining-induced surface integrity of holes drilled in lead-free brass alloy

Abstract This study presents the results of an experimental investigation on the effect of drilling process on surface integrity characteristics of lead-free brass alloy. Experimental data on dimensional accuracy and the surface quality of the holes, subsurface characteristics including microhardness and microstructure is presented and analyzed to evaluate surface integrity of machined specimens. This study demonstrates that cutting tools has strong influence on both microstructural aspects of lead-free alloy and resulting to hardening of the surface and subsurface along with deformation twinning.