SPH-Simulation of the Fiber-reinforced Composite Workpiece Cutting for the Surface Quality Improvement

Abstract

Unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite workpieces are often machine-processed in practice. During such cutting process, strong fibers are bended far more intensively than the weak matrix and an interfacial debonding between them occurs under the machined surface. It deteriorates composite performance properties and thus, debonding reduction is a vital technological problem. One of the perspective ways to diminish such debonding is to apply special cutting means. On the first stage of the problem study it is recommended to apply calculation and, first of all, numerical calculation methods. Attempts to apply the finite element method have presented some difficulties. Therefore, the SPH method has been previously used as the study basis. Calculations are performed using three design models: free orthogonal and oblique cutting (including cutting with two opposite located wedges), free orthogonal cutting with the advanced wedge and, at last, free orthogonal cutting with the advanced roller. The results of calculations show that the last mentioned model and oblique cutting hold are promising. The further research shall be directed to performance of the series of natural experiments to verify perspectives of the accepted design models.