Precision Machining of Polymer Matrix Composites

Author

Victor Martinez Polanco, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Abstract

This experiment was started to figure how the precision machining of polymer matrix composites differ from metals such as aluminum and steel. Polymer matrix composites are highly used in powered vehicles for their strength and light weight properties, but they are typically not machined to their final product how metals are. Polymer matrix composites are typically manufactured near their final shape, with some trimming involved to complete its shape. This research machined carbon fiber manufactured through a wet layup and through resin infusion, as well as aluminum and steel to compare their machineability and their surface finish. These materials were machined using a CNC mill, while comparing the properties of machineability and surface finish when using three different endmills: a AlTiN, a DLC, and a Diamond coated endmill. The three endmills demonstrated different positives and negatives of machining with the different materials. First, the best endmill to machine polymer matrix composites is a diamond coated endmill because it provides the best surface finish on composite materials, and it takes the least amount of effort to machine the material. Second, it is best to machine polymer matrix composite materials that have been manufactured through wet layups over materials made through resin infusion since there is less delamination through these layups. Third, while machining polymer matrix composites the best direction to machine the material with the least amount of delamination is in the same direction that the fiber is placed. Lastly, the research determined that there is not a significant difference between machining aluminum and polymer matrix composites, except that the composites experience delamination from machining with some endmills.

Advisor

Kuldeep Agarwal

Committee Member

Gary Mead

Committee Member

Shaheen Ahmed

Date of Degree

2022

Language

english

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Program of Study

Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Department

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Recommended Citation

Martinez Polanco, V. (2022). Precision machining of polymer matrix composites [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1243/

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.