Experimental and numerical analysis of step drill bit performance when drilling woven CFRPs Articles uri icon

publication date

  • January 2018

start page

  • 1147

end page

  • 1155

volume

  • 184

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0263-8223

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1879-1085

abstract

  • This paper focuses on the influence of the step drill bit geometry on the damage induced during drilling Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer materials (CFRPs). Step geometry designed with the aim of avoiding composite damage in CFRPs drilling, is compared to conventional twist configuration. Despite the reduction of thrust force and torque observed when using the step drill, the delamination was only reduced at low feed rates. A numerical model developed for the step geometry was validated with experimental data demonstrating its ability to predict thrust force and delamination for different values of feed rate and cutting speed. Numerical model allowed the development of a parametrical study. Finally, using a response surface methodology a mechanistic model and surface diagrams have been presented in order to help in the selection of optimum variables minimizing drilling induced damage.

keywords

  • drilling; cfrp; numerical modelling; delamination