Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) have significant advantages in manufacturing various components of advanced equipment in the fields of aerospace, marine, energy, etc., due to their superior characteristics, including lightweight, high strength, and feasibility of integrated manufacturing to near net shape. Machining of CFRP components is one of the most critical processes for assembly and finally achieving equipment. However, CFRPs are featured with multi-phase, laminated and anisotropic nature, and the machining of CFRP components is prone to delamination and other defects, which would seriously affect their service performance and production efficiency. Therefore, high-quality and efficient machining of CFRP components has always been a hot and challenging topic for investigation. Researchers have conducted numerous academic and engineering studies from various perspectives and achieved fruitful theoretical and technical findings. This study reviewed the important research advances of machining technology for CFRP components, summarized the traditional/non-traditional machining methods and their adaptability, and elaborated the cutting theory, cutting tools, and machining process of CFRP in detail. The development history of CFRP cutting theory is first introduced at macro and micro scales, and the guidance for restraining CFRP drilling and milling defects is discussed. Then, the design concept of drilling and milling tools is analyzed in-depth, and the cutting tool developments from traditional tool geometry optimization to novel tool geometry evolution are summarized. The influencing mechanism of machining parameters, special machining trajectory, cooling process, etc., on machining quality are discussed. Finally, the future research trend of machining theory and technology has been prospected for CFRP, and the possible challenges and opportunities in new materials, unique structural characteristics, stability, and process control have been proposed.

Key words: CFRP, machining technology, cutting tool, machining process, machining quality