Studies on the influence of grinding wheel bond material on the grindability of metal matrix composites

A study on grinding with resin bonded and plated diamond abrasive wheels have been carried out to evaluate the significance of bond on wheel performance. The performance indicators namely grinding force, acoustic emission signals emanating from the workpiece and temperature were monitored. Surface finish of the machined surface was measured using a perthometer. The electroplated wheel experiences higher order grinding force components compared to resin bonded wheel, since resin bonded diamond wheel presents sharper/keen edged abrasives, unlike the presence of smeared abrasive in case of plated wheel. The acoustic emission (AE) power spectra for the electroplated wheel shows dominant low frequency peaks of relatively higher order compared to resin bonded wheel. This can be attributed to sliding dominated grinding associated with higher order grinding force components. The electroplated wheel experiences higher temperature with low depth of grinding, while a visible reduction in temperature can be seen with higher depth of grinding. Resin bonded wheel gave better surface finish compared to the electroplated wheel. As a whole, resin bonded wheel performed better than electroplated wheel. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.