Tool wear study in edge trimming on basalt fibre reinforced plastics

In machining of reinforced fibre composite parts, abrasive fibres and material heterogeneity produce poor surface finish, delamination and tool wear. In this research, basalt fibre reinforced plastic is machined with edge trimming in order to study tool wear, using a tool holder of diameter 25 mm, with two exchangeable uncoated carbide cutting inserts. Cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed per tooth and depth) and material characteristics (fibre volume fraction and fibre orientation) are evaluated to know their influence in the flank wear (Vb) of the tool. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to study flank wear and material removal rate, and a generalized linear model (GLM) was developed. More influence variables in the flank wear are the machining conditions, being the tool life suitable for this machining and material.