Methodology for Evaluation of Treated Steels and Alloys in Abrasive Processing

Abstract

One of the critical physical and mechanical properties of metals and alloys is the suitability for abrasive machining. Machining by abrasive tools is the final operation that sets the desired macro-geometry parameters of processed blanks and microgeometry parameters of processed surfaces such as roughness and length of a bearing surface. Abrasive machining determines the most important physical and mechanical parameters of a blank surface layer, i.e. stresses, phase composition, structure. Machinability by abrasive tools depends on the machining performance affected both by the blank material properties and various processing factors. In our previous studies, we proved that during abrasive machining the metal microvolume affected by abrasive grains accumulates energy. This energy is used for metal dispersion and is converted into heat. According to the theoretical studies described herein, one may note the absence of a reliable and scientifically valid method as well as measuring instruments to determine the machinability of metals and alloys by abrasive tools. For this reason, we suggested a method simulating the effect the multiple abrasive grains produce in a grinding wheel, and enabling us to identify machinability of metals and alloys, select the most efficient abrasive materials for machining of the same, and form the basis for development of effective grinding operations.