A comprehensive investigation of surface morphology during grinding of Inconel 625 using conventional grinding wheels

Abstract

Grinding difficult-to-grind (DTG) materials such as superalloys have shown an upward trend for manufacturing high-precision and durable components. Superalloys, such as Inconel, have superior thermo-mechanical properties that allow them to withstand caustic working conditions and simultaneously make their grindability difficult. In this context, the present work investigates the grinding performance of Inconel 625 (IN 625) using conventional grinding wheels in dry condition. The current investigation uses the alumina wheel and the silicon carbide wheel to keep the cost factor minimum. The outcome of the experiments has been evaluated in terms of grinding forces and surface roughness. Advanced surface characterization techniques such as Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been employed to analyze the surface morphology of the ground surfaces produced by both wheels. It has been observed that the alumina wheel has performed much better than the silicon carbide wheel for a higher depth of cut. These observations have also been supported by wheel loading, in which loading for the silicon carbide wheel was approximately four times that of the alumina wheel. Moreover, long and flow types of chips produced by the alumina wheel indicate the better suitability of the alumina wheel while grinding IN 625. The findings of the present work are expected to provide an economical way of grinding IN 625, preferably using an alumina grinding wheel.