Solid carbide drill designed for aerospace composites

Sandvik Coromant’s CoroDrill 863 solid carbide drill with -O geometry has been designed to improve drilling consistency and performance on composite aerospace workpieces.
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Edited by Hannah Mason

Associate Editor, CompositesWorld

Cutting tool and tooling system specialist Sandvik Coromant’s (Fair Lawn, N.J., U.S.) CoroDrill 863 solid carbide drill with -O geometry has been designed to improve consistency and performance during hole-making operations on composite aerospace workpieces. The drill is said to extend tool life and achieve high hole integrity, and has been specifically designed to combat potential delamination issues caused by drilling. The substrate is based on a new grade, O1AD, which is said to improve wear resistance. A high axial rake angle is included for reduced delamination in unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

According to Sandvik, tool life is improved significantly when using the CoroDrill 863 drill, with increases in material drilled often measured in meters. As a result, fewer tool changes are needed.

Composite applications include aircraft frames, wingboxes, fuselage sections, stabilizers, floor beams and flaps. The assortment is available from 4xD to 5xD, in diameters from 3-10 mm (0.118-0.393").