Wet Milling of Cfrp

9 Pages Posted: 17 Nov 2022 Last revised: 1 Feb 2023

See all articles by Simon Kleinhenz

Simon Kleinhenz

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA

Christiane Chaumette

Fraunhofer IGB

Philipp Esch

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA

Date Written: November 30, 2022

Abstract

Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRP) have been steadily gaining relevance for several decades. According to Composite Materials e.V., CFRPs will continue to be an important economic influence in the future, particularly due to the increasing production of wind turbines. Despite near-component production, machining of the material - and thus the machinability of it - is necessary for the creation of the final product. Machinability is complicated by the temperature response of CFRP and the severe wear of cutting tools.

The aim of the project was to improve the machinability by using cooling lubricant. For this purpose, suitable components and additives were determined. From these, cooling lubricants were formulated and tested in a series of swelling and machining trials.

The machined samples were examined for chipping, fraying, delamination and cleanability. Especially tool life, cutting edge rounding, machining quality and machining performance were taken into consideration to evaluate the cooling lubricants. A mineral oil-based cooling lubricant with increased pH-values and the additive produce very good machining results in terms of component quality. As expected, the machined surfaces with cut fibres proved harder to clean than the smooth polymer surfaces.

Our cost calculation in comparison to established machining methods for CFRP generally proves the economic-effectiveness of using cooling lubricants. However, costs should be evaluated for each individual product line and its corresponding operation and certification requirements.

The objectives developed in the requirements analysis were achieved in cooperation between the institutes Fraunhofer IPA and Fraunhofer IGB.

Keywords: CFRP wet milling, cooling fluids

Suggested Citation

Kleinhenz, Simon and Chaumette, Christiane and Esch, Philipp, Wet Milling of Cfrp (November 30, 2022). Proceedings of the Machining Innovations Conference for Aerospace Industry (MIC) 2022, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4259380 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4259380

Simon Kleinhenz (Contact Author)

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA ( email )

Nobelstraße 12
Stuttgart, DE 70569
Germany

Christiane Chaumette

Fraunhofer IGB ( email )

Germany

Philipp Esch

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA

Nobelstraße 12
Stuttgart, DE 70569
Germany

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