Development and burnishing characteristics of roller burnishing method with rolling and sliding effects

This paper proposes a novel roller burnishing method that achieves simultaneously rolling and sliding effects on the burnishing point to accomplish a finish with superior surface integrity using a commercially available roller burnishing tool. The circumferential surface of the workpiece, which is rotated by the main spindle of the lathe, was targeted. The sliding effect was obtained by changing the rotational axis of the burnishing roller with respect to the workpiece. The principle of this method was examined theoretically, and the generation of rolling and sliding effects was confirmed experimentally. The processing characteristics of the method with an aluminum-based alloy workpiece were evaluated to compare with the conventional method. The influence of the burnishing conditions, such as the burnishing speed, thrust force, and feed rate, was also investigated. The thrust force and feed rate had a large influence on the burnished surface integrity, whereas the influence of the burnishing speed was minimal. The applicability of the proposed method for burnishing a carbon steel workpiece material was also examined. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.