On the Surface Quality of CFRTP/Steel Hybrid Structures Machined by AWJM

• Main Authors: Fermin Bañon, Bartolome Simonet, Alejandro Sambruno, Moises Batista, Jorge Salguero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: AWJM (abrasive water jet machining); CFRTP (carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics); hybrid structure; surface quality; Ra; Rz
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/10/7/983

The joining of dissimilar materials in a hybrid structure is a line of research of great interest at present. Nevertheless, the machining of materials with different machinability requires specific processes capable of minimizing defectology in both materials and achieving a correct surface finish in terms of functional performance. In this article, abrasive water jet machining of a hybrid carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP)/Steel structure and the generated surface finish are studied. A parametric study in two stacking configurations (CFRTP/Steel and Steel/CFRTP) has been established in order to determine the range of cutting parameters that generates the lowest values in terms of arithmetic mean roughness (<i>Ra</i>) and maximum profile height (<i>Rz</i>). The percentage contribution of each cutting parameter has been identified through an ANOVA analysis for each material and stacking configuration. A combination of 420 MPa hydraulic pressure with an abrasive mass flow of 385 g/min and a travel speed of 50 mm/min offers the lowest <i>Ra</i> and <i>Rz</i> values in the CFRTP/Steel configuration. The stacking order is a determining factor, obtaining a better surface quality in a CFRTP/Steel stack. Finally, a series of contour diagrams relating surface quality to machining conditions have been obtained.