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

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

Design and Analysis of CFRP Drilling by Electrical Discharge Machining

The novelty of EDM machining as a drilling operation for composite materials means that there is no consensus on the influence of the parameters that optimise the final quality. For these reasons, a characterisation of the EDM drilling process of a unidirectional composite material has been developed. The influence of several cutting parameters has been related to the quality of the final hole obtained. Thus, macrogeometric aspects in terms of conicity and final diameter and microgeometric aspects in terms of surface quality have been evaluated. In addition, the final state of the material and the wear of the electrode have been evaluated by visual inspection, allowing the range of cutting parameters that offer the best performance to be established. Finally, a series of contour diagrams based on predictive models have been obtained to establish a direct relationship between input and output variables