Potential for improving efficiency of the internal cylindrical grinding process by modification of the grinding wheel structure—Part I: Grinding wheels made of conventional abrasive grains

Abstract

This article offers an overview of 14 grinding wheel construction modifications used in the peripheral grinding of flat-shaped internal and external cylindrical surfaces, when grinding wheels made of conventional abrasive grains are used (Al2O3, sol-gel alumina, SiC, etc.). The text contains characteristics of grinding wheels with mixed grains, glass-crystalline bond, a centrifugal provision of the coolant into the grinding zone, aggregate grains, zones of different diameters, radial rough grinding zone, extended finish grinding segments, active surface macro- and micro-discontinuities, as well as multiporous, impregnated (self-lubricating), sandwich, sectional and segment grinding wheels. Each of the presented structural modifications was described by giving construction scheme, used abrasive grains, range of applications, advantages as well as disadvantages. Modifications of the grinding wheel construction allow for effective improvement of both the conditions and the results of the grinding process. A wide range of the known modifications allows for their proper selection depending on the required criteria of effective evaluation and taking into account the specific characteristics of conventional abrasive grains. As a result, it is possible to obtain positive influence on a number of technological factors of the grinding process. The described modifications of the grinding wheel structure can be also an inspiration and the basis for creating new solutions in this field.