Machining Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP)
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Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) include an array of materials made up of woven carbon fiber held together by resins and plastics. The properties of CFRP vary widely based on the direction of the woven fiber and type of resin used. To add strength, honeycombed core structures and/or solid layers of titanium and aluminum are often combined with CFRP to form what is known as a composite stack.

The strength to weight ratio of CFRP translates into lighter, faster more fuel efficient aircraft. But advanced composites present a host of new machining challenges to aerospace and cutting tool manufacturers alike. Holes drilled in aircraft structures must be made cleanly, with no frayed fibers or fibers pulled out of alignment. Maintaining sharp cutting edges is critical to making these clean cuts and avoiding delamination of the composite layers.

DiaTiger® diamond coating is quickly becoming an established solution for machining all types of aircraft composites, providing significant productivity gains and cost savings over traditional tools. Diamond Tool Coating works with an extensive network of cutting tool manufacturers to supply both standard and custom diamond coated tools for composite applications.

March 2008
Chemical vapor deposition of diamond material helps reduce cutting time, increase quality for JSF wing skins

November 2005
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Diamond Tool Coating collaborated with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining to help Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (LMAC) improve tool life and save money while creating the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.