Critical thrust force and feed rate determination in drilling of GFRP laminate with backup plate

Using backup plate is one of the most commonly used methods to decrease drilling-induced delamination of composite laminates. It has been shown that, the size of the delamination zone is related to the vertical element of cutting force named as thrust force. Also, direct control of thrust force is not a routine task, because, it depends on both drilling parameters and mechanical properties of the composite laminate. In this research, critical feed rate and thrust force are predicted analytically for delamination initiation in drilling of composite laminates with backup plate. Three common theories, linear elastic fracture mechanics, classical laminated plate and mechanics of oblique cutting, are used to model the problem. Based on the proposed analytical model, the effect of drill radius, chisel edge size, and backup plate size on the critical thrust force and feed rate are investigated. Experimental tests were carried out to prove analytical model.