3.1. Delamination Factor (Fd)
Nowadays, although the majority of composite materials are manufactured in the geometric structure closest to their final use shape, machining is required to mechanically combine them with other materials in the places of use. In order to meet this need (for the use of fasteners such as rivets and bolts), one of the most used methods (with a rate as high as 40%) in the machining of composite materials is the hole-drilling method [
34,
35,
36]. However, due to the anisotropic and heterogeneous nature of composite materials, many types of damage (such as fiber pullout, delamination and hole shrinkage) occur during machining operations. Among these damage types, delamination damage (also known as layer separation or fiber breakage) is the most undesirable type of damage, as it influences the strength and service life of the composite material most negatively [
34,
35,
37]. As a matter of fact, approximately 60% of the composite parts machined in the manufacturing industry fail to pass sample acceptance tests due to such damages [
35,
38]. Due to such negative consequences of delamination damages occurring during hole-drilling operations, within the scope of this experimental research, delamination damages occurring in the specially produced composite workpiece were specifically investigated. In this context, images of all holes were first taken using a Leica DM 750P branded optical microscope, and then the delamination factor (Fd) values were calculated precisely with the help of ImageJ software. In modern manufacturing industry, it is desired that the Fd values resulting from the drilling of composite materials should be 1 (i.e., without delamination) or as close to 1 as possible [
39]. As is known, Fd values are influenced by numerous factors, for instance, the geometry of the cutting tool, properties of the cutting tool, machining parameters and properties of the composite workpiece [
9]. That is why each of these factors needs to be examined separately. As displayed in
Figure 5, the image of the composite workpiece machined at different parameters and levels based on Taguchi DOE with DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools as well as the images taken with a microscope are given.
When the images presented in
Figure 5 are controlled, it is observed that the delamination occurring at the edges of the hole entrance changes with the influence of different cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) and machining parameters. For this reason, within the scope of this research, each parameter affecting Fd values was meticulously investigated.
In
Figure 6, the impacts of cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) and machining parameters on Fd values are shown comparatively. As displayed in
Figure 6, due to the Taguchi DOE applied within the scope of the study, the influences of machining parameters on Fd values are shown separately according to DC&T-T1 and T1 tools.
As depicted in
Figure 6a, the highest Fd value occurring at the hole edges of the composite workpiece machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool turned out to be 1.286 (see
Figure 5, D3). This highest Fd value was obtained using the DC&T-T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. On the other hand, as exhibited in
Figure 6a, the lowest Fd value occurring at the hole edges of the composite workpiece machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool turned out to be 1.096 (see
Figure 5, D7). This lowest Fd value was obtained using the DC&T-T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate. When the highest Fd value (1.286) and the lowest Fd value (1.096) were compared, it was found that the highest Fd value was 17.34% higher than the lowest Fd value. As a matter of fact, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 6b is checked, it is noticed that the highest Fd values are concentrated (red-colored area) around the machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. Additionally, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 6b is examined, it is noticed that the lowest Fd values are concentrated (blue-colored area) around the machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate.
Moreover, as depicted in
Figure 6c, the highest Fd value occurring at the hole edges of the composite workpiece machined with the T1 cutting tool was found to be 1.366 (see
Figure 5, D12). This highest Fd value was obtained using the T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. On the other hand, as seen in
Figure 6c, the lowest Fd value occurring at the hole edges of the composite workpiece machined with the T1 cutting tool was found to be 1.156 (see
Figure 6, D16). This lowest Fd value was obtained using the T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate. When the highest Fd value (1.366) and the lowest Fd value (1.156) were compared, it was found that the highest Fd value was 18.17% higher than the lowest Fd value. As a matter of fact, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 6d is checked, it is noticed that the highest Fd values are concentrated (red-colored area) around the machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. Additionally, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 6d is checked, it is noticed that the lowest Fd values are concentrated (blue-colored area) around the machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate.
As a consequence, as seen in
Figure 5 and
Figure 6, when the Fd values at the edges of the holes in the composite workpiece machined (with the same parameters and levels) using DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were compared, it was observed that better results (i.e., lower Fd values) were obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool. Moreover, when the lowest and highest Fd values obtained with the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were compared, it was seen that 5.49% and 6.23% better results (i.e., lower Fd values) were obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool, respectively. Furthermore, in this current research, detailed analyses were carried out using the Minitab program in order to better evaluate the Fd values of the holes in the composite workpiece machined using DC&T-T1 and T1 tools. With the help of the Minitab program, S/N ratios were calculated based on the Fd values obtained from the holes and are shown in
Figure 7a.
As seen in
Figure 6 and
Figure 7, the highest S/N ratio (using the Fd value obtained from the hole drilled with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool) was calculated as −0.79621 dB (for an Fd value of 1.096). Additionally, the lowest S/N ratio (using the Fd value obtained from the hole drilled with the T1 cutting tool) was calculated as −2.70901 dB (for an Fd value of 1.366). Moreover, as illustrated in
Figure 7, although both cutting tools show similar trends depending on the changes in parameters and levels, the DC&T-T1 cutting tool appears to have clear superiority (since a high S/N ratio is desired [
31,
32]). In this research, in order to better understand the influences of the machining parameters (cutting tool, spindle speed and feed rate), the main effects graph was obtained using S/N ratios and is illustrated in
Figure 7b. Once the main impacts on the plot presented in
Figure 7b are checked, it is clearly observed that the better results (i.e., lower Fd values) are obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool. Additionally, as illustrated in the basic effects plot (
Figure 7b), Fd values are positively affected (i.e., lower Fd values) as the spindle speed increases, while Fd values are negatively affected (i.e., higher Fd values) as the feed rate increases. Furthermore, when the analysis of the S/N ratios (
Figure 7b) obtained using Fd values was examined, it was revealed that the most appropriate machining parameters (in order to obtain the lowest Fd values) for the composite workpiece employed in this investigation were that of the DC&T-T1 cutting tool, a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate, respectively. Additionally, within the scope of this current research, separate images of each hole were taken to better understand the effects of the parameters and levels applied for the machining of the specially manufactured composite workpiece.
Figure 8 displays the delamination (for each hole) occurring at different machining parameters according to the cutting tools used in the study. Delamination at the edges of the holes machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool is found to be less than that at the edges of the holes machined with the T1 cutting tool, as shown in
Figure 8. However, when the holes drilled with both cutting tools were examined, it was observed that similar drilling-induced damages occurred. Additionally, it was determined that delamination increased with an increasing feed rate at a constant spindle speed in machining operations performed with both cutting tools. On the other hand, it was found that delamination reduced when the spindle speed was increased at a constant feed rate in machining operations performed with both cutting tools. Moreover, when the holes machined with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) were inspected, it was seen that delamination and drilling-induced damages started to decrease significantly as the optimal cutting parameters were approached. As a matter of fact, this situation is better seen in the cutting parameters where a spindle speed of 2000 rev/min and a feed rate of 100 mm/min are applied.
As is known, by reducing or completely eliminating the remaining austenite ratio in the microstructure of cutting tools (HSS tools), significant increases (i.e., betterments) in the toughness, hardness and wear resistance of the cutting tools occur. Moreover, cryogenic treatment is reported to better the electrical and thermal conductivities of cutting tools [
21,
23]. Consequently, all these desired, favorable improvements positively affect the performance of cutting tools [
15,
22]. In this current research, microhardness measurements were conducted with the help of a Matsuzawa brand device in order to understand the effects of the DC&T processes applied to the specially manufactured T1 tool. In
Figure 7c, the average hardness values (arithmetic average of measurements taken from five different points) obtained as a result of separate measurements of the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools are illustrated. As illustrated in
Figure 7c, the average hardness value (798.3 HV) of the cutting tool (DC&T-T1) subjected to DC&T processes was found to be 13.89% higher than the average hardness value (700.9 HV) of the untreated T1 cutting tool. It was observed that these results were in harmony with the results (betterment in properties such as wear resistance, hardness, toughness and thermal conductivity of cutting tools) of previous studies [
14,
21,
40]. Moreover, with the effect of these positive improvements in the cutting tool, the Fd values are positively affected due to less cutting force (i.e., since it cuts the composite workpiece more easily) being required [
41,
42]. Consequently, with the positive effect of DC&T processes applied to the cutting tool (DC&T-T1), the performance of the cutting tool was also positively affected.
As seen in
Figure 5 and
Figure 8, it is observed that delamination increases as the feed rates increase (from 100 mm/min to 300 mm/min) in the holes drilled with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1). However, it was revealed that delamination was lower (as desired) in the drilling operations performed with low feed rates. This can be explained by the fact that less damage occurs on the hole edges due to the better active cutting process (during the interaction between the cutting tool and the composite workpiece) in drilling operations performed at low feed rates. Moreover, since the thermal conductivity of the composite workpiece employed in this research is quite low [
6,
41], the temperature generated during the interaction between the composite workpiece and the cutting tool cannot move away from the area where the cutting process takes place; thus, the composite workpiece softens and positively affects the cutting process [
41,
43]. Furthermore, since the interaction time between the composite workpiece and cutting tool rises due to the low feed rate, it becomes possible to eliminate deficiencies in areas where the cutting process cannot be fully performed. As a matter of fact, when similar studies (studies carried out on composite workpieces) in the literature were inspected, it was revealed that the Fd values (i.e., less delamination) obtained in drilling operations performed with low feed rates were parallel to the Fd values obtained within the scope of this research [
44,
45]. On the other hand, as the feed rate increases, the cutting process cannot be fully performed owing to the rise in the volume of the chip that the cutting tool tries to remove from the composite material, which has a negative effect on Fd values. Here, the cutting tool dives into the composite material faster owing to the rise in the feed rate, but since the cutting process cannot be performed fully, it starts to pull and tear the composite material instead of cutting it. Moreover, as displayed in
Figure 5 and
Figure 8, due to the rapid dive of the cutting tool into the composite material, the width of the uncut fibers and delamination at the hole entrances increase, and the integrity of the composite material starts to deteriorate [
41,
43,
44]. On the other hand, as displayed in
Figure 5 and
Figure 8, it is observed that delamination decreases as the spindle speed increases (from 800 rev/min to 2000 rev/min) at a constant feed rate in the holes drilled with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1). This can be explained by the fact that less damage occurs on the hole edges due to the better active cutting process (during the interaction between the composite workpiece and the cutting tool) in drilling operations performed at high spindle speeds. Furthermore, due to the positive effect of the high spindle speed, high temperatures occur on the upper surface of the composite material; consequently, the cutting tool performs the active cutting process more easily, and thus, the damages caused by the drilling process begins to occur at minimum values. As a matter of fact, when similar studies (studies carried out on composite workpieces) in the literature were inspected, it was noticed that the Fd values (i.e., less delamination) obtained in drilling operations performed with high spindle speeds were parallel to the Fd values obtained within the scope of this research [
2,
41,
43,
46,
47].
3.1.1. ANOVA (Analysis of the Variance) and Regression Analyses Based on Fd Values
In this current research, analysis of variance, known as ANOVA, was carried out at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels to find the percentage contribution values (in order to better understand the impact of each factor on the Fd values) of the cutting tools and cutting parameters [
31,
32]. In
Figure 9a, the results of the ANOVA conducted according to the Fd values are visualized. As displayed in
Figure 9a, when the ANOVA results acquired according to the Fd values obtained for each hole within the scope of this experimental study were examined, it was discovered that the most significant parameter having an impact on the Fd values was the spindle speed, with a rate of 53.01%. Additionally, the percentage contribution rates of other parameters affecting the Fd values turned out to be 22.84% (feed rate) and 18.21% (tool), respectively.
As a matter of fact, when the pictures of the hole edges given in
Figure 5 and
Figure 8 are inspected, it is observed that they confirm the ANOVA results. Additionally, as illustrated in
Figure 9a, regression analyses were carried out based on the Fd values obtained within the scope of this research. With regression analysis, the correlation between process parameters and the responses of any machining process is analyzed in detail, and high-accuracy regression equations are developed [
31,
48]. As depicted in
Figure 9a, as a consequence of the analyses performed according to the Fd values, equations independent of each other for DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were formulated as quadratic and linear models. When the regression coefficients (R-sq, that is, R2) indicating the effectiveness of the developed models [
32] were examined (
Figure 9a), it was seen that the R2 value (94.06%) of the quadratic model was considerably higher than the R2 value (89.87%) of the linear model. The high regression coefficients (approximately 90% and above) obtained show that the equations developed for the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools are highly successful in predicting Fd values [
31,
32]. In
Figure 9b, the comparison of the Fd values estimated using the highly successful quadratic regression model with the experimentally obtained Fd results is depicted. When the graphic (
Figure 9b) comparing the experimental results with the predicted values is visually examined, it is discovered that the outcomes (black squares) are gathered quite close to the red line (regression line). Considering these achieved results, it is found that the developed model is highly successful and reliable in predicting Fd values [
32,
49]. Furthermore, each experimental result and the predicted value are compared separately (with the aim to demonstrate the high success of the developed model) and displayed in
Figure 9c. When the experimental Fd results and predicted Fd values given in
Figure 9c are visually controlled, it is seen that the experimental Fd results and predicted Fd values are equal or quite close to each other. In light of these results, it is clearly seen that the developed model (for the purpose of predicting Fd values) is highly reliable and successful.
3.2. Surface Roughness
As is known, the surface roughness of a machined workpiece is considered as one of the most important favorable conditions (for the place to be used as a component) by manufacturing industries, as it directly affects its performance [
33,
36]. Therefore, as in all contemporary manufacturing industries, the average surface roughness (Ra) values of the drilled holes were also precisely measured in this current research [
33,
37]. In contemporary manufacturing industries, it is desired that the hole surfaces of drilled samples be of high quality. In line with this aim, specimens with the lowest Ra value are accepted as priority. The reasons why the lowest Ra values are preferred include the much higher lifetime and performance of the specimens [
9,
33]. Due to the importance of the Ra values of the hole surfaces, in this research, measurements were taken five times from different locations per hole, and the averages of all the results obtained were computed. As is known, Ra values are influenced by a number of factors, such as the geometry of the cutting tool, properties of the cutting tool, machining parameters and composite workpiece properties [
9]. That is why each of these factors needs to be examined separately. As displayed in
Figure 10, the image of the composite workpiece machined at different parameters and levels based on the Taguchi DOE with DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools as well as the images taken from holes are given.
When the images given in
Figure 10 are examined, it is seen that the surface roughness occurring at the holes change with the influence of different cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) and machining parameters. Accordingly, within the scope of this research, each parameter affecting Ra values was meticulously investigated.
In
Figure 11, the impacts of cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) and machining parameters on Ra values are shown comparatively. As displayed in
Figure 11, due to the Taguchi DOE applied within the scope of the study, the impacts of machining parameters on the Ra values are shown separately according to the DC&T-T1 and T1 tools.
As illustrated in
Figure 11a, the highest Ra value occurring in the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool turned out to be 7.69 µm. This highest Ra value was obtained using the DC&T-T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. On the other hand, as illustrated in
Figure 11a, the lowest Ra value occurring in the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool turned to be 5.05 µm. This lowest Ra value was obtained using the DC&T-T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate. When the highest Ra value (7.69 µm) and the lowest Ra value (5.05 µm) were compared, it was found that the highest Ra value was 52.28% higher than the lowest Ra value. As a matter of fact, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 11b is inspected, it is noticed that the highest Ra values are concentrated (red-colored area) around the machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. Additionally, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 11b is inspected, it is noticed that the lowest Ra values are concentrated (blue-colored area) around the machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate.
Moreover, as illustrated in
Figure 11c, the highest Ra value occurring in the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined with the T1 cutting tool was found to be 8.99 µm. This highest Ra value was obtained using the T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. On the other hand, as seen in
Figure 11c, the lowest Ra value occurring in the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined with the T1 cutting tool was found to be 6.03 µm. This lowest Ra value was obtained using the T1 cutting tool at the applied machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate. When the highest Ra value (8.99 µm) and the lowest Ra value (6.03 µm) were compared, it was found that the highest Ra value was 49.09% higher than the lowest Ra value. As a matter of fact, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 11d is inspected, it is noticed that the highest Ra values are concentrated (red-colored area) around the machining parameters of an 800 rev/min spindle speed and 300 mm/min feed rate. Additionally, when the graph (counter-plot) given in
Figure 11d is inspected, it is noticed that the lowest Ra values are concentrated (blue-colored area) around the machining parameters of a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and 100 mm/min feed rate.
As a consequence, as depicted in
Figure 10 and
Figure 11, when Ra values occurring in the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined (with the same parameters and levels) using the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were compared, it was observed that better results (i.e., lower Ra values) were obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool. Moreover, when the lowest and highest Ra values obtained with the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were compared, it was seen that 19.42% and 16.91% better results (i.e., lower Ra values) were obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool, respectively. Furthermore, in this current research, detailed analyses were carried out using the Minitab program in order to better evaluate the Ra values obtained from the holes drilled in the composite workpiece machined using DC&T-T1 and T1 tools. With the help of the Minitab program, S/N ratios were computed based on the Ra values obtained from the holes and displayed in
Figure 12a.
As depicted in
Figure 12a, the highest S/N ratio (using the Ra value obtained from the hole drilled with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool) was calculated as −14.0658 dB (for an Ra value of 5.05 µm). Additionally, the lowest S/N ratio (using the the Ra value obtained from the hole drilled with the T1 cutting tool) was calculated as −19.0752 dB (for an Ra value of 8.99 µm). Moreover, as illustrated in
Figure 12a, although both cutting tools show similar trends depending on the changes in parameters and levels, the DC&T-T1 cutting tool appears to have clear superiority (since a high S/N ratio is desired [
31,
32]). In this research, in order to better understand the effects of the machining parameters (cutting tool, spindle speed and feed rate), the main effects graph was obtained using S/N ratios and is shown in
Figure 12b. When the main effects plot given in
Figure 12b is examined, it is clearly seen that better results (i.e., lower Ra values) are obtained with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool. Additionally, as illustrated in the main effects plot (
Figure 12b), Ra values are positively affected (i.e., lower Ra values) as the spindle speed increases, while Ra values are negatively affected (i.e., higher Ra values) as the feed rate increases. Furthermore, when the analysis of the S/N ratios (
Figure 12b) obtained using Ra values was inspected, it was revealed that the most suitable machining parameters (in order to obtain the lowest Ra values) for the composite workpiece used in this investigation were the DC&T-T1 cutting tool, a 2000 rev/min spindle speed and a 100 mm/min feed rate, respectively. Additionally, within the scope of this current research, separate images of each hole (the highest and lowest Ra values obtained using both cutting tools) were taken in order to better understand the effects of the parameters and levels applied for the machining of the specially manufactured composite workpiece. In
Figure 10, the effects of the cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) and cutting parameters on Ra values (i.e., surface roughness) are displayed separately for each hole (for the highest and lowest Ra values). As depicted in
Figure 10, the surface roughness values of the holes machined with the DC&T-T1 cutting tool are less than (i.e., smoother) the surface roughness values of the holes machined with the T1 cutting tool. Additionally, it was determined that the Ra values increased with am increasing feed rate at a constant spindle speed in machining operations performed with both cutting tools. On the other hand, it was found that the Ra values decreased with an increasing spindle speed at a constant feed rate in machining operations performed with both cutting tools. Moreover, when the holes machined with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1) were inspected, it was observed that the Ra values started to decrease (i.e., smoother) significantly as the optimal cutting parameters were approached. As a matter of fact, this situation is better seen in the cutting parameters where a spindle speed of 2000 rev/min and a feed rate of 100 mm/min are applied. Furthermore, when
Figure 10,
Figure 11 and
Figure 12b are considered together, it is observed that the experimental and statistical results are quite compatible.
As is known, by reducing or completely eliminating the retained austenite ratio in the microstructure of cutting tools (HSS tools), significant increases (i.e., improvements) in the hardness, toughness and wear resistance of the cutting tools occur. Moreover, cryogenic treatment is reported to improve the electrical and thermal conductivities of cutting tools [
21,
23]. Consequently, all these desired, favorable improvements (with the influence of DC&T processes) positively affect the performance of cutting tools [
15,
22].
As depicted in
Figure 10 and
Figure 11, it is observed that Ra values increase as the feed rates increase (from 100 mm/min to 300 mm/min) in the holes drilled with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1). This can be explained by causes such as the increase in the volume of removed chips due to the increase in the feed rate, the inability of the active cutting process to take place and the deterioration of surface integrity (drilled surfaces of the composite workpiece). Moreover, since the thermal conductivity of the composite workpiece used in this research is quite low, the temperature generated during the interaction between the composite workpiece and the cutting tool cannot move away from the area where the cutting process takes place; thus, the composite workpiece softens and positively affects the cutting process [
6,
41,
43,
50]. As a matter of fact, when similar studies (investigations carried out on composite workpieces) in the literature were inspected, it was revealed that the Ra values (i.e., less surface roughness) obtained in drilling operations performed with low feed rates were parallel to the Ra values obtained within the scope of this research [
44,
45]. Additionally, as the feed rate increases, the cutting process cannot be fully performed due to the increase in the volume of the chip that the cutting tool tries to remove from the composite material, which has a negative effect on the Ra values. Here, the cutting tool dives into the composite material faster due to the increase in the feed rate, but since the cutting process cannot be performed fully, it starts to pull and tear the composite material instead of cutting it. On the other hand, as displayed in
Figure 10 and
Figure 11, it is observed that Ra values decrease as the spindle speed increases (from 800 rev/min to 2000 rev/min) at a constant feed rate in the holes drilled with both cutting tools (DC&T-T1 and T1). This can be explained by the fact that less surface roughness occurs on the hole due to the better active cutting process (during the interaction between the cutting tool and the composite workpiece) in drilling operations performed at high spindle speeds. Furthermore, due to the positive effect of the high spindle speed, high temperatures occur in the composite material (due to its low thermal conductivity); consequently, the cutting tool performs the active cutting process more easily, and thus, the surface roughness caused by the drilling process begins to occur at minimum values [
6,
41,
43,
46]. As a matter of fact, when similar studies (investigations carried out on composite workpieces) in the literature were inspected, it was noticed that the Ra values (i.e., less surface roughness) obtained in drilling operations performed with high spindle speeds were parallel to the Ra values obtained within the scope of this research [
2,
41,
43,
47,
50].
3.2.1 ANOVA (Analysis of the Variance) and Regression Analyses Based on Ra Values
In this current investigation, ANOVA was carried out at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels to find the percentage contribution values (in order to better understand the effect of each factor on the Ra values) of the cutting tools and cutting parameters [
31,
32]. In
Figure 12c, the results of the ANOVA conducted based on the Ra values are visualized. As illustrated in
Figure 12c, when the ANOVA results acquired based on the Ra values obtained for each hole within the scope of this experimental investigation were examined, it was discovered that the most significant parameter having an impact on Ra values was the feed rate, with a rate of 37.86%. Additionally, the percentage contribution rates of other parameters with an influence on the Ra values were found to be 34.71% (spindle speed) and 23.27% (tool), respectively. As a matter of fact, when the pictures taken at the hole edges given in
Figure 10 and 11 are inspected, it is seen that they confirm the ANOVA results. Additionally, as illustrated in
Figure 12c, regression analyses were carried out based on the Ra values obtained within the scope of this research. With regression analysis, the correlation between process parameters and the responses of any machining process is analyzed in detail, and high-accuracy regression equations are developed [
31,
32]. As depicted in
Figure 12c, as a consequence of the analyses performed according to the Ra values, separate equations for the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools were formulated as quadratic and linear models. When the regression coefficients (R-sq, that is, R2) indicating the effectiveness of the developed models [
32] were examined (
Figure 12c), it was revealed that the R2 value (95.84%) of the quadratic model was higher than the R2 value (94.96%) of the linear model. The high regression coefficients (90% and above) obtained show that the equations developed for the DC&T-T1 and T1 cutting tools are highly successful in predicting Ra values [
31,
32]. In
Figure 12d, the comparison of the Ra values predicted using the highly successful quadratic regression model with the experimentally obtained Ra values is illustrated. When the graphic (
Figure 12d) comparing the experimental results with the predicted values is visually examined, it is discovered that the outcomes (blue squares) are gathered quite close to the green line (regression line). Considering these results obtained, it is found that the developed model is highly successful and reliable in estimating Ra values [
32,
49]. Furthermore, each experimental result and the predicted value are compared separately (with the aim to demonstrate the high success of the developed model) and displayed in
Figure 12e. When the experimental Ra results and predicted Ra values given in
Figure 12e are visually examined, it is seen that the experimental Ra results and predicted Ra values are equal or very close to each other. In light of these results, it is clearly seen that the developed model (for the purpose of predicting Ra values) is highly reliable and successful.