The machining of platinum alloys is considered a difficult and expensive process. The first part of a basic study of platinum machining using factorial designed experiments was presented at the 1999 Santa Fe Symposium. The studies have been expanded to include additional and new materials. Surface texture determinations have been quantitatively performed with contact instruments. The results and conclusions of the studies will be presented. Methodology to optimize machining applications for a given set of conditions will be discussed.

Author: Constantino Volpe, Dr. Richard D. Lanam