Influence of Router Tool Geometry on Surface Finish in Edge Trimming of Multi-Directional CFRP Material

Abstract

The use of carbon fibres reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites material for product structures has been steadily increasing due to the superior material properties such as high strength, low weight and corrosion resistance especially in aerospace industry. This work presents a research on the influence of various router or burrs tool geometrical feature towards surface roughness in edge trimming process on a specific CFRP material. CFRP panel which measured in 3.41mm thickness with 28 plies in total has been chosen to be the main study material. Three various geometrical features of router tool made of uncoated tungsten carbide material with diameter of 6.35mm which vary in number of flute and helix angle were utilized to investigate the effect of surface roughness in edge trimming of CFRP material. Surface roughness measurement was taken using Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-410. Furthermore, optical microscope Nikon MM-800 is utilized to further observe the trimmed surfaces. The result reveals that tool type 3 (T3) resulted the lowest surface roughness with respect to the overall averaged Ra value which ranged between 2.22μm to 5.29μm whilst tool type 1 (T1) obtained the highest Ra values ranged between 2.86μm to 19.36μm. On the other hand, the tool type 2 (T2) falls in the middle between the rests of two others type of tool which stated the range of Ra average value was between 3.91μm to 5.28μm. This result is also supported by photomicrographs observation taken by optical microscope which elaborated and discussed further in this paper.