Temperature measurement during grinding of metal matrix composites

Abstract

Grinding is a high specific energy process which generates significant amount of heat and has potential to cause surface and sub-surface damage. During grinding of advanced materials like metal matrix composites, which has a relatively softer matrix (Al), it is essential to have better idea of the grinding temperature, so as to reduce/avoid the effects of grinding temperature on the work material being ground. This paper deals with issue related to measurement of temperature during grinding of Al/SiCp metal matrix composites. From the study, it was observed that although the temperature measured by the pyrometer is less owing to factors like emissivity and specific heat capacity, the actual temperature prevalent at the wheel-work interface could have been higher, as confirmed from the SEM of the machined surface.