Thrust Force Analysis in Drilling Glass Fiber Reinforced/Polypropylene (GFR/PP) Composites

Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic (GFRTP) composites are an important alternate to the conventional engineering materials owing to their good application-oriented properties. Drilling is unavoidable and an important operation used in automotive and aerospace industries in the assembly stage. The reduction of thrust force is required to minimize delamination. This paper examines the parameters that influence the thrust force on drilling glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFR/PP). The experiments are conducted using the Box–Behnken experimental design method. An empirical relation is established for determining the thrust induced in the drilling of GFRTP. The factors that affect the drilling process and their interaction are analyzed and presented in detail.