Rivet Fastening Process for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP) under Ultrasonic Vibration. Micro Hole Machining of CFRTP with a Vibrated Needle Tool

In this study, CFRTP is the material chosen for processing for which we propose a hole drilling method. A needle-like tool, to which ultrasonic vibration is applied, is in contact with the CFRTP to soften the thermoplastic matrix resin, thereby avoiding the cutting of carbon fibers. In this report, as a basic experiment with the aim of rivet fastening, hole drilling in CFRTP was carried out using a needle-like tool with a diameter of 0.5 mm. The hole drilling was realized in about 1 s for a 1 mm-thick CFRTP.