Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools possessing high hardness and abrasive wear resistance
are particularly suited for drilling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites,
where tool life and consistent hole quality are important. While PCD presents superior performance
when drilling CFRP, it is unclear how it performs when drilling multi-stack materials
such as CFRP-titanium (Ti) stacks. This comparative study aims to investigate drilling
of a Ti plate stacked on a CFRP panel when using PCD tools. The first sequence of the
drilling experiments was to drill 20 holes in CFRP only. CFRP-Ti stacks were then drilled
for the next 20 holes with the same drill bit. CFRP holes and CFRP-Ti stack holes were
evaluated in terms of machined hole quality. The main tool wear mechanism of PCD drills is
micro-fractures that occur when machining the Ti plate of the stack. Tool wear increases the
instability and the operation temperature when machining the Ti plate. This results in high
drilling forces, large hole diameter errors, high surface roughness, wider CFRP exit thermal
damage, and taller exit Ti burrs.