JFET_V7_N1_RP5 N. Muthu Krishnan K. Kaarmuhilan S. Karthika Journal on Future Engineering and Technology 2230 – 7184 7 1 42 52 A356 Alloy, PCD, Power Consumed, Surface roughness, SIC Particles, Tool Wear, SEM Images, Poly crystalline Diamond Aluminum silicon carbide Metal Matrix Composites (Al-MMC) are widely used in aeronautical and automobile industries due to their excellent mechanical and physical properties. However the harder reinforcement particles make machining difficult. Tool wear occurs more quickly and reduces the life of the tool. This paper presents the experimental investigation on turning A356 matrix metal reinforced with 10 % by weight of Silicon carbide (SiC) particles of grain size ranges from 24 microns to 55 microns, fabricated in house by stir casting. Fabricated samples were turned on medium duty lathe of spindle power 2 kW with Poly crystalline Diamond (PCD) inserts of 1300, 1500 and 1600 grade exposed to various cutting conditions. Parameters such as power consumed by the main spindle, specific power consumption and machined surface roughness were studied. The result shows better performance of PCD 1500 grade compared with other two grades in all aspects. It is proved that 1300 grade can be used for rough turning and 1500 grade for finish turning. PCD 1600 grade performance also very close to the PCD 1500 grade. Tool wear study also conducted for duration of 30 minutes. SEM images show the tool wear pattern. August - October 2011 Copyright © 2011 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1712