Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

How to cut Kevlar Laminate

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic39759.aspx

By Mateo Amprimo - 1/10/2021 9:49:21 PM

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone could provide input on methods to cut Kevlar Laminate. I am very new to basically everything about composites having learned mostly everything from youtube, random websites, and very old forums so I apologize if I don't make much sense or use weird terminology Smile

I am part of a student project team and we need to construct some Kevlar panels. We are pretty set on everything except how to cut the excess edge off the finished laminates once the epoxy resin hardens. I haven't found much info online except a couple of old forum threads which detailed how difficult it was to cut laminate Kevlar and its tendency to fuzz after being sanded. I'm not really sure what tool I would want to use. I'm thinking of a dremel since the panels aren't going to be flat so its best if the cutting is done by hand rather than a CNC machine, but I have no idea what exact cutting wheel I should look into or if any dremel cutting wheel would even be capable of doing the job without completing destroy the kevlar edge.

Thank you for reading!
By Warren (Staff) - 1/14/2021 4:13:40 PM

You normally cut it like any composite cured part then finish off by trimming off the fluff with a sharp scalpel or similar fine blade. 

If the design allows, stop the kevlar a few mm from the edge of the part, filling in with carbon or other laminates.  That way you don't have to cut the kevlar at all once cured.