Comparative study on cutting behavior of vitrified cubic boron nitride wheel and electroplated cubic boron nitride wheel in high-speed grinding of (TiCp + TiBw)/Ti-6Al-4V composites

Abstract

High-speed grinding experiments of particle reinforcing titanium matrix composites ((TiCp + TiBw)/Ti-6Al-4V) were carried out with vitrified cubic boron nitride wheel and electroplated cubic boron nitride wheel, at the wheel speed ranged from 80 to 140 m/s. The cutting behavior, that is, grinding force, grinding temperature, specific grinding energy, and ground surface morphology, and grinding chips are analyzed. The results indicate that compared to the workpiece speed and the depth of cut, the wheel speed has a more significant influence on the grinding forces. The grinding temperature and specific grinding energy obtained with the vitrified cubic boron nitride wheel are always larger than those with the electroplated cubic boron nitride wheel. Based on the comprehensive consideration in terms of grinding force, grinding temperature, and specific grinding energy, the electroplated cubic boron nitride wheel is more suitable than vitrified cubic boron nitride wheel for high-speed grinding particle reinforcing titanium matrix composites. The removal of the reinforcements of particle reinforcing titanium matrix composites is mainly by means of pullout, fracture or crushing, micro-cracks, voids, and smearing. The segment chips containing the reinforcements are formed during high-speed grinding of particle reinforcing titanium matrix composites.