EVALUATION OF THE HIGH-POWERED MACHINING PROCESSES OF FIBER- REINFORCED COMPOSITES IN RELATION TO THE METHOD OF CLAMPING AND PROCESS DESIGN

摘要

Fiber-reinforced composites assume a key function in lightweight design. Due to high material and manufacturing costs, the objective is the near net shape manufacture of composite components via the forming processes. Subsequent cutting processes such as deburring are, however, still necessary. This post-processing leads to a reduction in the mechanical properties, not only through the cutting of the continuous fibres but also through potential production-related damage. The excellent durability properties of fiber-reinforced composites are thus lost. In this paper it is assumed that the production- related reduction in the mechanical properties of composites with thermoplastic matrix is not only caused and influenced by the design of the machining process but also through the method of clamping the parts which is necessary during the process. The qualitative evaluation is done through microscopical determination of the surface damage and the inter-laminar damage through ultrasonic inspection. Following an accelerated ageing process under the influence of bending loads, the determination of the flexural strength is carried out.