Abrasive machining

Mechanics of abrasive machining
– Abrasive particles cut away material by being forced into the workpiece surface.
– Each particle acts like a miniature cutting tool.
– Grains in abrasive machining are smaller than cutting tools.
– Geometry and orientation of individual grains are not well defined.
– Abrasive machining is less power efficient and generates more heat.

Abrasive machining processes
– Bonded abrasive processes: particles are held together within a matrix.
– In grinding, particles are bonded together in a wheel.
– Shape of the grinding wheel is transferred onto the workpiece.
– Loose abrasive processes: no structure connecting the grains.
– Grains can be applied as dry powder or mixed with a lubricant as a slurry.

Common abrasive materials
– Most important property of an abrasive is its hardness.
– Conventional abrasives: made of materials that exist naturally on Earth.
– Conventional abrasives are abundant and cheap.
– Superabrasives: much harder than conventional abrasives.
– Superabrasives are used when conventional abrasives are not sufficient.

Conventional abrasive materials
– Aluminium oxide (Corundum).
– Silicon carbide.
– Emery.
– Pumice.
– Sand.

Superabrasive materials
– Diamond.
– Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN), Borazon.

References:
– Arief, Ikhwan; Chen, Xun (Dec 2010). KEY PARAMETERS IN LOOSE ABRASIVE MACHINING (PDF).
– Core. University of Huddersfield Press. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
– Kalpakjian, Serope; Steven R. Schmid (2003). Manufacturing Processes for Engineering Materials. Pearson Education. pp.437–440. ISBN81-7808-990-4.
– Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abrasive_machining&oldid=1156302094 Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrasive_machining