Assessment of Temperature History When Abrasive Milling of Long Fiber Reinforced Polymers

This attempt addresses an investigation on temperature evolution owing to tool-material interfaces when milling glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP). An experimental set-up was built for determining cutting temperatures during cutting period. The composite panels were prepared using unidirectional glass fibers and Epoxy matrix basing on appropriate curing cycle. After curing, the obtained panels were post-cured in autoclave at constant pressure and temperature. The tests were conducted on vertical CNC milling machine and monoblock diamond wheel. A measuring device equipped with 8 type-K thermocouples (TCs) was connected to an acquisition card capable of recording the temperature history during cutting. The TCs were placed inside the workpiece through beforehand prepared holes. Focus was specially put on the analysis of temperature evolution versus the tool advance along the cut surface. The obtained plots exhibit typically two different phases: (i) relatively sudden heating phase to reach a pick temperature value, and (ii) a much more slightly cooling phase up to room temperature. The pick temperature values show a continuous increase with the tool advance reflecting heat localization process due to cutting time increase. The heat inevitably yields at the interfaces between the moving tool and the specimen due to contact conditions was also discussed.