Optimization of CFRP drilling process: a review

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a lightweight composite material with high mechanical properties, which has been applied in many fields. Especially in the aerospace field, it is a preferable material to make different shape thin wall sheet parts, which needs to be assembled and connected with other parts through riveting or bolt. Therefore, a large number of holes need to be drilled on the CFRP. However, as CFRP is an inhomogeneity and anisotropy laminate, defects such as delamination, burrs, tear, and excessive roughness are easy to occur in the process of drilling holes. These defects will greatly reduce the service life of structural parts or even directly make them scrap. In this review, the generation mechanism and influencing factors of drilling defects of CFRP are explored. The relevant achievements of experimental optimization, algorithm optimization and finite element method optimization about traditional drilling process are summarized. The research progress of new drilling processes is introduced. The shortcomings of existing research and the future development direction are analyzed. This review will help researchers optimizing the CFRP drilling process, reduce the defects in the drilling process, improve the quality of drilling holes, and provide reference for drilling process of other composite materials.

Automated summary

This review explores the generation mechanism and influencing factors of drilling defects in CFRP, summarizes the achievements of optimization in traditional drilling processes, introduces the research progress of new drilling processes, and analyzes the shortcomings of existing research and future development directions.