Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Separation Mechanisms when Shearing Cured Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics with Thermoset Matrices

Shearing is a cost efficient technology suitable for piercing and trimming of components made of carbon plastic reinforced plastic (CFRP) in high-volume automotive applications. In order to support an industrialization of this process, the material separation mechanisms when shearing CFRP were studied and explained using experimental and numerical approaches. The findings of this thesis provide a foundation for a knowledge based design of economically efficient CFRP shearing processes.