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Delamination of graphite/epoxy laminate during drilling operation

Journal Article · · Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2905932· OSTI ID:7033062
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Dept., California State Polytechnic Univ., Pomona, CA (US)
  2. Center for Composite Materials, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX (US)

Delamination due to drilling is one of the major concerns in machining a composite laminate. This paper employed NIKE2D finite element code to predict the critical load for delamination in drilling simulation. Good agreement is achieved with the approximation analytical solution and the finite element results for the case of the model using isotropic material property. A circular plate of quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy laminate with an without an aluminum plate backing was investigated for drilling load-induced delamination. It is found that drilling force-caused delamination can be significantly increase as the uncut portion is beyond a quarter thickness of the entire laminate thickness with an aluminum backing plate. It is suggested that the drilling operation be controlled as the drill nears the exit plane.

OSTI ID:
7033062
Journal Information:
Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Energy Resources Technology; (United States) Vol. 114:2; ISSN 0195-0738; ISSN JERTD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English