Grinding Process of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic

Grinding process and surface generation of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic) are experimentally investigated for the purpose of obtaining the fine surface finish. Especially fracture of glass fiber on surface that lead to inferiority of machined surface characteristic is observed from the microscopic point of view. Main conclusions obtained in this study are as follows: (1) Wheel wear in grinding GFRP is not much more drastic than tool wear in cutting. (2) The surface in grinding GFRP is generated by the plastic deformation of plastic material in matrix and by the fracture and also the plastic deformation of glass fiber. (3) Fracture of glass fiber on surface, that depends on the distribution angle of fiber, is a main cause of inferiority on ground surface and is divided into three distinct types. (4) Surface roughness in grinding GFRP decrease with a decrease of fiber contents, a miniaturization of undeformed chip shape and an increase of grinding speed.