Grindability of carbon fiber reinforced polymer using CNT biological lubricant

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) easily realizes the integrated manufacturing of components with high specific strength and stiffness, and it has become the preferred material in the aerospace field. Grinding is the key approach to realize precision parts and matching the positioning surface for assembly and precision. Hygroscopicity limits the application of flood lubrication in CFRP grinding, and dry grinding leads to large force, surface deterioration, and wheel clogging. To solve the above technical bottleneck, this study explored the grindability and frictional behavior of CNT biological lubricant MQL through grinding experiments and friction-wear tests. Results showed that the CNT biological lubricant reduced the friction coefficient by 53.47% compared with dry condition, showing optimal and durable antifriction characteristics. The new lubrication was beneficial to suppressing the removal of multifiber block debris, tensile fracture, and tensile-shear fracture, with the advantages of tribological properties and material removal behavior, the tangential and normal grinding force, and the specific grinding energy were reduced by 40.41%, 31.46%, and 55.78%, respectively, compared with dry grinding. The proposed method reduced surface roughness and obtained the optimal surface morphology by preventing burrs, fiber pull-out, and resin smearing, and wheel clogging was prevented by temperature reduction and lubricating oil film formation. Sa and Sq of the CNT biological lubricant were reduced by 8.4% and 7.9%, respectively, compared with dry grinding. This study provides a practical basis for further application of CNT biological lubricant in CFRP grinding.