Study the Impact of Cutting Edge Number Engaged on the Surface Integrity During Machining Laminate Composites

Machining CFRP composite normally has two issues concerned, including minimizing machining defects which strongly influence on working ability during the services and reducing particle dust emitted in the air which is inhaled by operators. This article presents a study of investigating the effect of tool geometry or a number of cutting edges engaged on the surface integrity of trimming CFRP composites. Three carbide tool geometries, namely 2 helix flutes, 3 helix flutes, and 4 helix flutes, are selected for the experimental study. The surface integrity given by each cutting tool is qualitatively evaluated by the scanning electron microscope technique. The results show that when machining length is still small, 4HF tools exhibit the better machining quality compared with those given by other tool geometries. However, when machining reaches longer, it is observed that due to the stick of microchip in the grooves between two consecutive cutting edges, 4HF tools generate worse machining quality, characterized by matrix smearing and holes across machined surface, than those given by 2HF and 3HF tools. The result of the current study can be concerned as a guidance for selecting tool geometries for getting better surface integrity of trimming CFRP composites.