Effects of Nano Organoclay and Wax on the Machining Temperature and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP)

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are appreciated for their high mechanical properties and lightness. Due to their heterogeneous nature, CFRP machining remains delicate. Damages are caused on the material and early tool wear occurs. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of fillers on CFRP machinability and mechanical behavior. CFRP laminates were fabricated by the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process, using a modified epoxy resin. Three fillers (organoclay, hydrocarbon wax, and wetting agent) were mixed with the resin prior to the laminate infusion. Milling tests were performed with polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools, equipped with thermocouples on their teeth. Machinability was then studied through the cutting temperatures and forces. Tensile, flexural, and short-beam tests were carried out on all samples to investigate the effects of fillers on mechanical properties. Fillers, especially wax, allowed us to observe an improvement in machinability. The best improvement was observed with 1% wax and 2% organoclay, which allowed a significant decrease in the cutting forces and the temperatures, and no deteriorations were seen on mechanical properties. These results demonstrate that upgrades to CFRP machining through the addition of nanoclays and wax is a path to explore.

Effect of Graphene Additive on Flexural and Interlaminar Shear Strength Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite

“…However, the ice bath was removed in the last step to allow the temperature to rise to a maximum of 50 • C. The elevated temperature decreased the mixture viscosity, facilitating air bubble extraction. [31]. Final degassing was done in a vacuum oven for one hour, and the loaded epoxy was finally mixed with the hardener according to the supplier's instructions.…”

“…Since its first discovery in affect the repeatability of their results. For example, in [24,30,31], the authors incorporated different types of particles into the laminate by means of vacuum resin transfer molding (VARTM). Even though this technique might lead to a consistent fiber volume fraction, it may lead to non-uniform dispersion of the filler particles because of a "filtering" mechanism of the filler by the fibers all along the resin transfer.…”

“…This material is inherently rough and abrasive which makes its machinability more difficult than other materials. Tool wear and poor surface finish frequently occur in this matter [31]. So, enhancing the machinability of CFRP is a necessity.…”