Study of surface quality and dust particles emission and dispersion during dry polishing of granite

Abstract

The aim of this article is to understand the surface quality, as well as the emission and dispersion of dust particles generated during dry polishing of granite, with a view to minimizing both surface roughness and dust particles emission by optimizing the parameters of the industrial process. The optimized polishing parameters found must have a good influence on both the surface quality and the dust particles emission. Investigating dust particle dispersion will help with the design of ventilation solutions to capture dust during the polishing process. Results show that the spindle speed and the feed rate of the polishing tool have important influence on the surface quality and the dust particles emission during the dry polishing process. Choosing a spindle speed of approximately 1500 rpm and an average feed rate of 17 mm/s to perform the dry polishing of granite is a good compromise, which leads to minimize dust particles emission while achieving a good surface finish. It is also shown that the dust emitted contaminates in the same way the vicinity and near the polishing tool. The dust particles, emitted during dry polishing of granite, belong to PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter). These particles, once inhaled, easily reach the lung alveolar region and cause serious injuries.