Modeling of temperature fields in milling of unidirectionally reinforced CFRP depending on the fibre orientation angle and the effective width of cut

Abstract

CFRP parts are conventionally used within various industries; however, during machining these components, the generated heat is a very relevant limiting factor. Exceeding the glass transition temperature can lead to workpiece degradation, reduced strength, and shorter lifetime. During up-cut milling of unidirectional (UD) CFRP with PCD cutters, the temperature was measured using thermocouples and a thermographic camera, while the cutting torque was measured with a rotating dynamometer. The maximum temperature increase at the machined surface, the heat flow from the machining zone into the material, and the ratio of heat flow to spindle power were simulated. An analytical model developed earlier for the temperature field in machining orthotropic composites with arbitrary fibre orientation was used. The results indicate that cutting power, heat flow, and the ratio of heat flow to cutting power exhibit approximate symmetry relative to the fibre orientation angle Φ = 90°. Introducing the concept of the fibre orientation symmetry angle is useful. Unexpected fractures of larger segments of remaining UD CFRP material occur at all feeds at higher fibre orientation and engagement angles within a small range of fibre cutting angles near 45°, significantly reducing the nominal width of cut and impairing results. The effective width of cut was evaluated based on the drop in cutting torque, measured at various fibre orientation angles, cutting speeds, feeds, and nominal widths of cut. The highest maximum temperature increase consistently occurs at Φ = 135°. As an overall effect, higher cutting speeds lead to increased cutting power, heat flow, and maximum temperature at the machined surface, but result in a smaller depth of the heat-affected zone. The simulations conclude that a higher fibre orientation symmetry angle leads to a higher equivalent heat flux, shorter thermal contact length, and reduced heat flow, and vice versa. In the future, the influence of different tools and composite materials needs to be investigated.