Effectiveness analysis of abrasive flow machining on elbow inner-surface finish

Higher standards have been set for elbow-type parts' inner-surface finish in industrial production. The influence mechanism of inlet velocity, bend ratio, and bending angle on the surface quality of the elbow is analyzed to research the surface quality control technology of abrasive flow machining (AFM) elbows, and the surface quality control method of elbows in AFM is established. The machining effect of the abrasive flow is capable of being improved, according to the results of numerical simulation, by raising the inlet velocity; the machining capability of lower curvature radii is greater, whereas the uniformity of the overall machining of higher curvature radii is preferable; the numerical simulation verifies that the analysis of the flow state in the 90 degrees elbow applies to elbows with various bending angles, demonstrating that the numerical simulation analysis represents a significant guide to the experiment results. The numerical simulation results and experimental findings for curvature radius agree, and by raising the inlet velocity or inlet pressure, improved surface quality control is capable of being accomplished for higher curvature radii; the experimental findings demonstrate that increasing the inlet pressure enhances the abrasive flow's ability to machine, demonstrating that the inlet pressure and inlet velocity are directly proportional to one another. Therefore, the experimental findings confirm the accuracy of the numerical simulations, validate the viability and validity of AFM elbows, and provide technical support for the suggested quality control technology of AFM elbows.