EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FINISHING OF POLYMER VALVE SEAT SURFACE FOR BALL VALVE PERFORMANCE

A polymer valve seat is an essential component of ball valves. However, a gas pipeline valve leakage during the gas or oil transportation process causes major issues. Therefore, the fine finishing of the polymer valve seat is important. This work describes the effect of the magnetorheological finishing (MRF) process on the surface characteristics of the polymer valve seat. To achieve a finely finished polymer valve seat surface, the best process parametric combination of current, workpiece rotational, and tool rotational speed are obtained using the response surface methodology. The optimum process parameters are further used to enhance surface characteristics (including surface roughness, microhardness, and surface morphology) through fine finishing. Using the optimum process conditions, the surface roughness was reduced to 110nm from 570nm in 140min of finishing on a 4878mm2 surface area of the polymer valve seat. The circularity of the valve seat surface's dimensional correctness is investigated further. The current MRF process can fine-finish the polymer valve seat surface consistently, resulting in improved surface characteristics and functional performance.