Effects of tool coating and tool wear on the surface quality and flexural strength of slotted CFRP

Machining of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) is abrasive and causes significant tool wear. The effect wear on static flexural strength investigated, using edge trimming with uncoated carbide chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond coated burr style tools. Edge rounding (ER) criteria along flank are used to observe degradation ER shown preferentially allowing the become cyclically sharper duller, corresponding fluctuating dynamometer readings, a novelty for CFRP machining. Areal surface metrics degraded an due changes in cutting mechanism, whilst up 16.2 m linear traverse, showed limited changes. Tool wear, caused by 7.2 CFRP, tool, provided reduction 10.5 %, directly linking reduced mechanical strength.