An Investigation into CO2 Laser Trimming of CFRP and GFRP Composites

Shyha, Islam

Abstract

The paper outlines results for an investigation of CO2 laser trimming of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites. Process variables include cutting speed, laser beam power, gas pressure and workpiece material. These have been evaluated against key response measures involving material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness and kerf width. Higher MRRs have been obtained when trimming GFRP. Maximum MRR of 8 cm3/min was acquired when trimming GFRP at 1750 mm/min, 5 bar and 2500 watt respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that matrix constituent in both composites incurred to elevated cutting temperature which most likely resulted in a charring/melting and adhered to the cut surface which adversely affected its quality (Ra of up to ∼ 6 μm). Maximum entry kerf width of 0.5 mm and 0.28 mm was measured for GFRP and CFRP samples respectively.

Citation

Shyha, I. (2013, June). An Investigation into CO2 Laser Trimming of CFRP and GFRP Composites. Presented at The Manufacturing Engineering Society International Conference, MESIC 2013, Zaragoza, Spain

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: The Manufacturing Engineering Society International Conference, MESIC 2013
• Start Date: Jun 26, 2013
• End Date: Jun 28, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Sep 10, 2013
• Publication Date: 2013
• Deposit Date: Dec 16, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 16, 2020
• Journal: Procedia Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1877-7058
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Pages: 931-937
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.08.200
• Keywords: Laser trimming, CFRP, GFRP, composites
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2686906
• Related Public URLs: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/16975/