Effects of Tool Geometry, Process Parameters and Fiber Orientation Angles on Hole Quality of (GFRP)

Ahmed M. Easa, Abeer S. Eisa

Abstract: For fastening purpose, drilling is the most widely carried out manufacturing process for composites. Problems like surface delamination, inadequate hole surface finish are quite common in drilling hole. Therefore, the objective of the present research is to study the influence of five HSS twist drills with different point angles, five feed rates, three sets of fiber orientation angles and three of cutting speeds on the delamination and surface roughness of drilled hole. The analysis of the results demonstrated a strong association between the resultant of the delamination factor (df) with the feed rate and also with tool point angle when using all sets of fiber orientation angles (0/0/0/0), (0/45/45/0)and (0/90/90/0) with the three cutting speeds. The use of higher cutting speed (3000 rpm), fiber orientation angles (0/0/0/0) and low feed rate (25mm/min) with tool of point angle (60?) are suitable for drilling GFRP to get a good surface roughness of drilled hole.

Keywords: Surface Quality, Surface Delamination, Drilling, Composite Materials, GFRP