Research Article

The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths

Volume: 14 Number: 3 September 30, 2025

The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are extensively utilized in the aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods industries, where the combination of lightness and high strength is crucial. Conventional milling is a prevalent technique for obtaining the final dimensions and removing excess parts of CFRP components produced with different manufacturing methods. However, many damages occur during the mechanical machining of composites and these damages negatively affect the quality and service life of the composite part. The present study investigates the effects of utilizing different tool paths and end mills with varying geometries on cutting forces and machined surface quality in the side milling operation of CFRP. Results indicated that employing sinusoidal tool paths during side milling is a successful approach for reducing cutting forces and improving surface finish. On the other hand, the multi-flute performed best regarding cutting forces, whereas the 4-flute tool proved superior in obtaining better surface quality.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study is complied with research and publication ethics.

Thanks

The author would like to thank Prof. Dr. Uğur Köklü for helping to provide the workpiece.

References

  1. J. Seo, D. C. Kim, H. Park, Y. S. Kang, and H. W. Park, "Advancements and Challenges in the Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Trimming Process", International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1341-1360, 2024/07/01 2024, doi: 10.1007/s40684-023-00552-1.
  2. J. Seo, D. Y. Kim, D. C. Kim, and H. W. Park, "Recent Developments and Challenges on Machining of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Laminates", International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, vol. 22, no. 12, pp. 2027-2044, 2021/12/01 2021, doi: 10.1007/s12541-021-00596-w.
  3. J. Xu, N. Geier, J. Shen, V. Krishnaraj, and S. Samsudeensadham, "A review on CFRP drilling: fundamental mechanisms, damage issues, and approaches toward high-quality drilling", Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 24, pp. 9677-9707, 2023/05/01/ 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.05.023.
  4. M. Slamani and J.-F. Chatelain, "A review on the machining of polymer composites reinforced with carbon (CFRP), glass (GFRP), and natural fibers (NFRP)", Discover Mechanical Engineering, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 4, 2023/04/03 2023, doi: 10.1007/s44245-023-00011-w.
  5. T. Gao et al., "Carbon fiber reinforced polymer in drilling: From damage mechanisms to suppression", Composite Structures, vol. 286, p. 115232, 2022/04/15/ 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.115232.
  6. S. Morkavuk, K. Aslantaş, L. Gemi, U. Köklü, and Ş. Yazman, "The influence of drilling-induced damages and hole quality on hoop tensile and fatigue behavior of CFRP tubes", Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 179, p. 108005, 2024/04/01/ 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108005.
  7. M. Haddad, R. Zitoune, H. Bougherara, F. Eyma, and B. Castanié, "Study of trimming damages of CFRP structures in function of the machining processes and their impact on the mechanical behavior", Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 57, pp. 136-143, 2014/02/01/ 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.09.051.
  8. J. Sheikh-Ahmad, N. Urban, and H. Cheraghi, "Machining Damage in Edge Trimming of CFRP", Materials and Manufacturing Processes, vol. 27, no. 7, pp. 802-808, 2012/07/01 2012, doi: 10.1080/10426914.2011.648253.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Material Design and Behaviors

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

April 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 3

APA
Morkavuk, S. (2025). The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(3), 1549-1562. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029
AMA
1.Morkavuk S. The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;14(3):1549-1562. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029
Chicago
Morkavuk, Sezer. 2025. “The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP With Different Cutting Tool Paths”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14 (3): 1549-62. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029.
EndNote
Morkavuk S (September 1, 2025) The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14 3 1549–1562.
IEEE
[1]S. Morkavuk, “The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths”, Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 1549–1562, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029.
ISNAD
Morkavuk, Sezer. “The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP With Different Cutting Tool Paths”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 14/3 (September 1, 2025): 1549-1562. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029.
JAMA
1.Morkavuk S. The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025;14:1549–1562.
MLA
Morkavuk, Sezer. “The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP With Different Cutting Tool Paths”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 1549-62, doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029.
Vancouver
1.Sezer Morkavuk. The Influence of Tool Geometry on Side Milling of CFRP with Different Cutting Tool Paths. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2025 Sep. 1;14(3):1549-62. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1671029

Bitlis Eren University

Journal of Science Editor

Bitlis Eren University Graduate Institute

Bes Minare Mah. Ahmet Eren Bulvari, Merkez Kampus, 13000 BITLIS

E-mail: fbe@beu.edu.tr