Numerical modeling of stacked composite CFRP/Ti machining under different cutting sequence strategies

Abstract

Stacked composite CFRP/Ti is identified as an innovative structural configuration for manufacturing the key aircraft components favoring energy saving in the modern aerospace industry. Machining of this composite-to-metal alliance exhibits the most challenging task in manufacturing community due to the disparate natures of each phase involved and their respective poor machinability. Since the experimental studies are highly cost and time consuming, the numerical approach should be a capable alternative to overcoming the several technical limitations involved. In this research, an original FE model was developed to simulate the complete chip formation process when orthogonal cutting (OC) of hybrid CFRP/Ti stacks. Different constitutive models and failure criteria were implemented into the Abaqus/Explicit code to construct the entire machining behavior of the stacked composite material. The stack model was built to replicate accurately the key physical phenomena activated in the hybrid cutting operation. Special concentration was made on the comparative studies of the effects of different cutting-sequence strategies on the machining responses induced by CFRP/Ti cutting. The numerical results highlighted the significant role of cutting-sequence strategy in affecting the final machined surface morphology and subsurface damage extent, and hence emphasized the importance of selecting reasonable cutting-sequence strategy for hybrid CFRP/Ti machining.