ABSTRACT
Glass is highly abrasive, which poses a major challenge when machining glass-fiber-reinforced composites. In this regard, much of machining information for various high-speed steel and carbide cutting tool materials used for machining metals, and some thermoplastics cannot be applied to machining composites. Composites are not homogeneous or isotropic; therefore, the machining characteristics are dependent on the tool path in relation to the direction of the reinforcing fibers. Because abrasive machining and grinding generate greater amount of heat than milling and trimming, it is recommended to use an approved flood coolant. In order to overcome the difficulties associated with conventional cutting of composites, nontraditional machining processes such as abrasive water jet machining (AWJM), laser beam machining, and electrodischarge machining are introduced. AWJM is a suitable choice for machining composite materials due to the inherent advantages that include the lack of thermal damage, no tool wear, small cutting forces, high flexibility, reduced material wastage, and increased productivity.
