Ultrasonic assisted grinding of ceramics

In order to improve the machining process of advanced ceramics grinding can be combined with ultrasonic vibrations at high frequencies of about 22 kHz and low amplitudes between 4 and 15 mu m. This report is dealing with investigations on ultrasonic assisted creep feed grinding of sintered silicon nitride and alumina. Based on the grinding forces, surface roughness and radial wheel wear the grinding process with and without vibrations is analysed. Moreover the influence of the bonding and the table feed speed is shown at the example of SSN. Further on examinations on ultrasonic assisted face grinding of alumina describe the influence of different process parameters on the available material removal rate. Comparative observations are made, in order to show the potential of the present process modifications to improve the productivity during grinding of ceramics in relation to the conventional methods.