The time-efficient machining of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers represents a major role in a wide range of manufacturing processes, taking economic aspects into account. The aim of the research project is the development of a simulation for the determination of temperature fields during the laser processing of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers and the characterization of their effects on damage development under cyclic loading. During laser processing, the material to be separated vaporizes directly in the laser beam focus and generates thermally induced damage, referred to as heat-affected zones. To characterize the resulting mechanical properties under superimposed mechanical-thermal loading, instrumented sequential fatigue tests are performed in conjunction with in situ 3D X-ray computed tomographic analyses. In combination with the experimental investigations, a simulation is to be developed which, depending on the material and laminate structure, describes the machining process in terms of intensity, speed and material removal and predicts the resulting temperature fields during machining of the manufactured component.

Duration: 2020 bis 2022