Investigation on drilling-grinding of CFRP

Abstract

It is difficult to machine polymer matrix composites reinforced by carbon fibre, and the hole-making process is the most necessary machining process for composite plate products. Conventional drills have a very short life in the drilling of this kind of composites and the quality of the hole is very poor. In this paper, the cemented or plated diamond core tools are tested to make holes in carbon fibre/epoxy composite plates. The effects of machining parameters, cooling and chip removal on the tool life, and the hole quality are investigated. Results indicate that the material removal mechanism of the two kinds of diamond tools is not like the cutting effect of the conventional solid twist drilling but similar to that of grinding. Satisfactory effects in making holes in the composites are obtained— quite acceptable machined hole quality, low costs, and long wear-resistant endurance.

Keywords

composites / drilling-grinding / cemented/plated diamond / tool life / machined quality

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2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg