Product Code: ICA13_1904

Correlation of Interlaminar and Tensile Properties with Resulting Thermal Impact While CFRP Laser Processing
Authors:
Oliver Suttmann, Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V.; Hannover Germany
Peter Jaeschke, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.; Hannover USA
Heinz Haferkamp, Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V.; Hannover Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2013

Continuous carbon fibre reinforced composites (CFRP) are recognized as having a significant lightweight construction potential for a wide variety of industrial applications. However, a today‘s barrier for a comprehensive dissemination of CFRP structures is the lack of economic, quick and reliable manufacture processes, e.g. the cutting and trimming steps.
In this paper, the influence on the thermal effect caused by high-power fibre-laser machining with respect to cutting edge characteristics and resulting static strength properties of continuous carbon fibre reinforced composites is discussed. The experiments were performed using CFRP organic sheets based on a thermoplastic polyphenylene sulfide matrix (CF-PPS). Within the frame of the investigations static tensile as well as interlaminar shear strength measurements were performed. An analytical model was developed which is used for a correlation between the resulting heat affected zone at the cutting edge and the corresponding mechanical properties. A reduced load bearing area of laser processed CF-PPS specimens compared to milled reference samples is presented as essential factor, which determines the achievable tensile and interlaminar shear strength. The results indicate that high-power fibre-laser machining does only marginal influence the maximum strengths of CFRP structures and is consequently a suitable tool for the automotive and aircraft industry.