Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have established critical temperatures at which the destruction of carbon fiber begins during machining. The discovery will improve the quality and reliability of parts for the automotive, aviation, and space industries. The results of the work are published in the materials of the international conference "Chemistry. Ecology. Urban Studies".
Scientists at PNRPU heated carbon fiber samples in laboratory conditions and recorded changes. As a result, it was found that the destruction process of the binding polymer resin begins at a temperature of 215 °C. A 2% loss of material mass occurs in the range of 215–335 °C, and when heated to 470 °C, losses reach 15%.
Experiments on a special cutting stand showed that at standard processing speeds, the temperature in the contact zone between the tool and the material easily exceeds 260 °C and can reach 350 °C or higher, which inevitably leads to damage.
Carbon fiber, combining lightness and strength, is widely used to reduce the weight of vehicles. However, when processed with a cutting tool, the material can overheat, leading to hidden defects. The problem lies in the absence of specialized standards: manufacturers often use parameters developed for metals.
The research was conducted as part of the "Priority-2030" program. The data obtained will help develop optimal processing modes for composite materials, preventing their thermal damage and increasing the durability of finished products.
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