Comparative Study of Specific Plowing Energy for Mild Steel and Composite Ceramics Using Single Grit Scratch Tests

The present research work compares the specific plowing energy requirement of two different materials: mild steel (ductile material) and composite ceramics (brittle material) using single grit scratch tests. The comparative study of two different materials will enhance the understanding of specific plowing energy. Specific plowing energy depends both on grinding process parameters as well as material property such as hardness. The effects of the four grinding process parameters, grinding speed, table speed, grain size, and depth of cut on specific plowing energy have been investigated. Geometrical parameters of the groove produced during single grit scratch test are used to calculate and model the specific plowing energy. Specific plowing energy is mathematically modeled in terms of the process parameters. It is found to be significant component of the total specific grinding energy. Specific plowing energy is plotted with respect to depth of cut which is found to have significant effect on the plowing phenomenon. This component has become even more predominant at very low depth of cut especially in case of composite ceramics.