Analysis of hole quality errors in drilling of GFRP composite

Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites applications are widely used now a day due to its greater mechanical, structural and thermal properties. Drilling is the most extensively used manufacturing process in fabrication of composite components. It is commonly used in the final stage of manufacturing or assembling of components. In the process of drilling, various undesirable effects occur such as matrix cracking, fiber damage, delamination, increased surface roughness of hole, circularity and thermal damage, etc., which reduce the quality of hole. Delamination is the major concern among all the undesirable effects. The appropriate selection of cutting parameters and drill bit type can minimize the delamination and improve the hole quality. In the present work, the influence of three types of drill bits and cutting parameters such as feed rate and spindle speed on the hole quality parameters assessed which includes delamination, circularity, diameter deviation and surface roughness. The obtained results conclude that for high spindle speeds, the spur drill gives better hole quality. The assembly accuracy of the drilled hole can be enhanced by the proposed hole quality parameters.