Cut Quality and Strength Evaluation of Hole Making in Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Composite Using Laser Beam Cutting Technology

Abstract

The machining of composite materials for the production of bolt holes is essential in the assembly of the structural frames of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP). Laser beam machining has been used in industry for such purposes. This technology has procured many overlapping applications and as the life of the joint in the assembled structure can be critically affected by the quality of the holes, it is thus important for the industry to understand the application of laser cutting process on the GFRP composite. The aim of the present work is to assess the influence of laser beam machining parameters on the hole making process of woven laminated GFRP material. Statistical approach was used to understand the effects of the control parameters on the response variables. The result shows that cutting feed, laser power, stand-off distance and assist gas flow rate are influential parameters upon the response variables of the laser cutting process of GFRP composite.