Effect of Drill Geometry in Drilling Of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Using Carbide Drill 2005-01-3328

The damage generated during the drilling of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) is detrimental for the mechanical behavior of the composite structure. Effect of drill geometry on drilling of glass/epoxy (GFRP) laminates using three types of drill, namely standard twist drill, Zhirov point and multifacet (MFD) has been studied. A woven glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate of 9 mm thickness was prepared and drilling was carried out using a CNC vertical machining centre. The thrust force and hole quality machined during drilling were compared for each drill geometry. Zhirov drill gives the benefit of less cutting force, and best surface finish. From the experiments it is found that the multifacet drill produces delamination free hole and better surface finish among other two geometries.