Experimental investigations into tool wear of drilling CFRP

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) has highly abrasive microstructure due to carbon fiber reinforcement and requires the use of tool materials with good resistance to abrasive wear. The paper presents a study of tool wear in drilling operation. Drill bits with uncoated and diamond coated cemented carbide and polycrystalline diamond were tested in drilling PAN-based CFRP samples. Registered thrust force, torque, flank wear, cutting edge radius (CER), drilled holes quality are correlated with the tool material type. Experimental results showed existence of CER critical values and flank wear that are affecting acceptable hole quality and CFRP chip structure