Temperature-dependent cutting physics in orthogonal cutting of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite

J. Ge, W. Tan, S. Ahmad, Brian G. Falzon, G. Catalanotti, C. Higgins, Y. Jin, D. Sun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The global commitment towards reducing carbon emissions drives the implementation of sustainable carbon-fibre-reinforced-thermoplastic composites (CFRTPs). However, the machining of CFRTPs presents challenges due to the material's ductile–brittle composition and sensitivity to machining-induced high temperatures. For the first time, we conducted temperature-controlled orthogonal cutting of CFRTP (using CF/PEKK as a demonstrator) to unveil its temperature-dependent cutting physics. Three representative cutting temperatures, 23 ℃ (ambient temperature),100 ℃ (<PEKK's glass transition temperature (Tg)) and 200 ℃ (>Tg) and four typical fibre cutting orientations (0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) have been investigated. The evolution of chip microstructural morphology and surface/subsurface damage have been analysed by advanced microscopy to reveal temperature-dependent material removal mechanisms. The experimental results were elucidated through a novel microscale finite-element-analysis (FEA) model considering thermal softening of the matrix and interface. Results show the transition of the cutting physics with increasing temperature is associated to the degradation of the thermoplastic matrix stiffness/ultimate strength and interface bonding strength and fracture toughness, especially when > Tg.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107820
Number of pages19
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume176
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Open Access - Access Right Statement

© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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