Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) are currently experiencing significant growth in popularity among industrial manufacturers. The appeal of these materials lies in their excellent specific mechanical properties, which enable the production of much lighter structures compared to traditional materials such as metals. Despite the wide range of manufacturing processes available for these materials, machining steps are still necessary to obtain the final parts. However, unprecedented challenges are encountered when machining composite materials. The aim of this thesis is to assess the possibility of improving the drilling process by adding additives to the epoxy matrix of composites. In this study, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) were fabricated by incorporating two fillers into the matrix: wax and graphene. A total of nine different plates were machined using a tool with a true crystalline CVD diamond coating. To characterize machinability, cutting forces were measured using a dynamometric table, and cutting temperatures were measured using thermal camera. Roughness measurements were also taken on the surfaces of the drilled holes to study mechanical properties (the surface quality of the holes). Improvements in machinability without deteriorating mechanical properties were observed, particularly with a concentration of 2% wax and 0% graphene, where the effects were most significant. Cutting temperatures, forces, and roughness were significantly reduced by the addition of 0.25% graphene and 1% wax, without compromising the fiber/matrix interaction. This study demonstrated that adding additives to FRP is a viable option for improving machinability. This conclusion is of interest to industrial manufacturers, as the addition of additives can reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing damage and maximizing tool life.
| Date | 17 Jan 2025 |
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| Original language | French |
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| Awarding Institution | - École de technologie supérieure
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| Supervisor | Jean-François Chatelain (Supervisor) & Mohamed Slamani (Co-supervisor) |
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Jammel, S. (Author),
Chatelain (Supervisor) & Slamani (Co-supervisor),
17 Jan 2025Student thesis: Master's thesis › Master in Engineering: Mechanical Engineering