Kerf Taper Defect Minimization Based on Abrasive Waterjet Machining of Low Thickness Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Composites C/TPU

Carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) are materials of great interest in industry. Like thermosets composite materials, they have an excellent weight/mechanical properties ratio and a high degree of automation in their manufacture and recyclability. However, these materials present di culties in their machining due to their nature. Their anisotropy, together with their low glass transition temperature, can produce important defects in their machining. A process able to machine these materials correctly by producing very small thermal defects is abrasive waterjet machining. However, the dispersion of the waterjet produces a reduction in kinetic energy, which decreases its cutting capacity. This results in an inherent defect called a kerf taper. Also, machining these materials with reduced thicknesses can increase this defect due to the formation of a damage zone at the beginning of cut due to the abrasive particles. This paper studies the influence of cutting parameters on the kerf taper generated during waterjet machining of a thin-walled thermoplastic composite material (carbon/polyurethane, C/TPU). This influence was studied by means of an ANOVA statistical analysis, and a mathematical model was obtained by means of a response surface methodology (RSM). Kerf taper defect was evaluated using a new image processing methodology, where the initial and final damage zone was separated from the kerf taper defect. Finally, a combination of a hydraulic pressure of 3400 bar with a feed rate of 100 mm/min and an abrasive mass flow of 170 g/min produces the minimum kerf taper angle

Surface Quality and Free Energy Evaluation of s275 Steel by Shot Blasting, Abrasive Water Jet Texturing and Laser Surface Texturing

Surface modification by different technologies prior to joining operations or improving tribological properties is a point of great interest. Improving surface activation by increasing the roughness of the metal is a relationship that is becoming more defined. In turn, an increase in surface wettability by evaluating contact angles indicates surface activation by obtaining a high surface free energy. Technologies such as shot blasting and laser surface texturing (LST) have generated several scientific studies where they have identified the influence of parameters on the formation of rough surfaces with defined patterns. However, the application of abrasive water jet texturing (AWJT) has been little studied as an alternative. This article compares these technologies in the texturing of a carbon steel s275 in order to identify the relationship between surface quality and surface activation. It has been determined that AWJT produces the highest Rt values close to 64 mu m with a cross feed of 0.45 mm and a traverse speed of 5000 mm/min. Furthermore, LST obtains the best values of free surface energy by combining a power of 20 W with a frequency of 20 kHz and a sweeping speed of 10 mm/s. Finally, contour diagrams have been obtained which relate these variables to the texturing parameter

Preliminary evaluation of a multipass strategy in abrasive waterjet machining of an alloy UNS A92024.

Abrasive waterjet cutting is a valuable method for removing material without causing thermal damage, making it suitable for machining materials of different thicknesses and minimising waste. However, machining thicker materials requires higher flow rates and pressure, resulting in increased energy consumption and surface defects that increase costs. This study proposes a multi-pass strategy to improve the performance of abrasive waterjet machining. The study aims to investigate the impact of the number of passes on the efficiency of machining a thick UNS A92024 alloy. Surface integrity will be evaluated from two perspectives: macrogeometry (such as machining depth and taper) using image processing, and microgeometry (surface roughness). The study will also analyse the relationship between the number of passes and traverse speed to identify the optimal combination and develop a predictive model to enhance overall process performance.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Study of Abrasive Water Jet Machining as a Texturing Operation for Thin Aluminium Alloy UNS A92024

Surface modification of metallic alloys can create hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces that enhance the functional performance of the material. For example, hydrophilic surfaces have improved wettability, which improves mechanical anchorage in adhesive bonding operations. This wettability is directly related to the type of texture created on the surface and the roughness obtained after the surface modification process. This paper presents the use of abrasive water jetting as an optimal technology for the surface modification of metal alloys. A correct combination of high traverse speeds at low hydraulic pressures minimises the power of the water jet and allows for the removal of small layers of material. The erosive nature of the material removal mechanism creates a high surface roughness, which increases its surface activation. In this way, the influence of texturing with and without abrasive has been evaluated, reaching combinations where the absence of abrasive particles can produce surfaces of interest. In the results obtained, the influence of the most relevant texturing parameters between hydraulic pressure, traverse speed, abrasive flow and spacing has been determined. This has allowed a relationship to be established between these variables and surface quality in terms of Sa, Sz and Sk, as well as wettability.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga

One-Shot Drilling Analysis of Stack CFRP/UNS A92024 Bonding by Adhesive

The use of adhesive layers can improve the properties and reduce the defects produced in the interfaces. This provides adherence to the structure, adapting the joining surfaces and avoiding spaces between the layers. However, the presence of the adhesive can potentiate the defects caused during drilling. In turn, a loss of adhesive in the interface can occur during machining affecting the final structure. This work has followed a conventional OSD strategy in CFRP and UNS A92024 aluminium sheet stacking with adhesive. A series of dry drilling tests have been developed with different cutting conditions and new noncoated WC-Co helical cutting tools. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical analyses and surface response models have been applied to determine the mechanical behaviour in the holes. For this purpose, the dimensional deviation, surface quality, and adhesive loss in the interface in relation to the number of holes have been considered. A combination of cutting parameters that minimizes the evaluated defects has been found. Diametric deviations and surface qualities below 2% and 3.5 m have been measured in the materials that make up the stack with cutting speeds higher than 140 m/min and feed rates between 200 and 250 mm/min. However, the greatest adhesive losses occur at high cutting speeds

Evaluation of geometrical defects in AWJM process of a hybrid CFRTP/Steel structure

The bonding of Carbon Fibre Reinforced ThermoPlastic composites (CFRTP) and steel is of great interest nowadays. Nevertheless, the difference in machinability between dissimilar materials requires a specific machining process. Abrasive water jet machining is a flexible and environmentally friendly technology that can machine dissimilar materials at the same time with good results. However, due to the characteristics of the process and materials, geometrical defects such as taper angle can be caused by the loss of kinetic energy. In this research, the study of the final geometry in abrasive waterjet machining of a hybrid CFRTP/Steel structure. A new methodology for the evaluation of taper angle with high accuracy has been developed through image processing. In addition, the surface quality in terms of Ra and Rz has been assessed. A potential-type trend between taper and hydraulic pressure has been established for both materials. Minimum taper values between 1.5° and 5° have been obtained for both materials and stacking configurations with a combination of a hydraulic pressure of 420 MPa, an abrasive mass flow of 225 g/min and a traverse speed of 50 mm/min. © 2021 The Author(s

On the Surface Quality of CFRTP/Steel Hybrid Structures Machined by AWJM

The joining of dissimilar materials in a hybrid structure is a line of research of great interest at present. Nevertheless, the machining of materials with different machinability requires specific processes capable of minimizing defectology in both materials and achieving a correct surface finish in terms of functional performance. In this article, abrasive water jet machining of a hybrid carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP)/Steel structure and the generated surface finish are studied. A parametric study in two stacking configurations (CFRTP/Steel and Steel/CFRTP) has been established in order to determine the range of cutting parameters that generates the lowest values in terms of arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) and maximum profile height (Rz). The percentage contribution of each cutting parameter has been identified through an ANOVA analysis for each material and stacking configuration. A combination of 420 MPa hydraulic pressure with an abrasive mass flow of 385 g/min and a travel speed of 50 mm/min offers the lowestRaandRzvalues in the CFRTP/Steel configuration. The stacking order is a determining factor, obtaining a better surface quality in a CFRTP/Steel stack. Finally, a series of contour diagrams relating surface quality to machining conditions have been obtained

Análisis, evaluación y propuesta de mejora del rendimiento del mecanizado de materiales compuestos de naturaleza termoplástica

En este trabajo se ha analizado el comportamiento de materiales compuestos de resina de poliuretano termoplástico reforzada con fibras de carbono (CFRTP) frente a diversos procesos de acabado (postprocesado) sustractivos, convencionales y no convencionales, eficaz para caracterizar el diseño de productos en piezas primerias y secundarias y aportar la calidad necesaria. El interés de esta investigación radica en la tendencia ascendente al uso de los materiales compuestos de matriz polimérica, entre los cuales se encuentra el poliuretano termoplástico. Las resinas termoplásticas presentan una serie de ventajas respecto a las termoestables, entre ellas su facilidad de procesamiento y su reciclaje. Esto ha permitido que el conformado de esta resina junta a fibras de carbono lleve a los CFRTPs a presentarse como una alternativa viable a los materiales compuestos más empleados en la industria.No obstante, el peso principal de este trabajo recae en el postprocesado de dichos materiales, entendiendo como postproceso aquellas operaciones secundarias capaces de obtener la geometría final, acabados y tolerancias requeridas. En esta ocasión, tras reiteradas revisiones de la literatura científica y experimentos llevados a cabo, se ha desarrollado el análisis del CFRTP en cuestión, frente a las tecnologías de fresado y chorro de agua con abrasivo