Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites are widely used in manufacturing industry and possess excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Statistically designed experiments were carried out for unreinforced PEEK and reinforced PEEK with 30% of carbon fibers using two different cutting tool (CT) materials, namely, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and K10 cemented carbide and considering the depth of cut as the crucial cutting condition. Surface roughness is represented by four different profile amplitude parameters (Ra, Rt, Rp and Rq). The present paper is aimed at studying the impact of depth of cut (DC) on surface roughness in turning PEEK composites. Beside, cutting tools and material type (MT) are investigated on surface roughness of PEEK composites. The statistical analysis shows that  the depth of cut mainly affects all surface roughness parameters  In addition, when the depth of cutting factor is compared to other factors, cutting tools and material type, the contribution of depth of cut on Ra, Rt, Rp and Rq is found higher.

surface roughness parameters, statistical design of experiments, turning, polymer matrix composites.