Friction and wear characteristics of agglomerated diamond abrasives and lapping performance of fixed agglomerated diamond pads

The friction and wear behaviors of agglomerate abrasive grits in fixed abrasive (FA) pad are closely related to the pad self-conditioning process, which significantly affects its lapping performance and its process stability. In this study, the agglomerated diamond (AD) with two binder concentration were prepared. The prepared single AD grits were then cured into resin posts respectively, and their friction and wear characteristics at different loads by the pin-on-disk test were compared with those of a testing post of single crystal diamonds (SCD). The coefficient of friction (COF) and the cross-sectional area of the wear scars was measured to evaluate the continuous microcutting performance of abrasive grits. The worn grits after 30min and 120 min testing were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fixed abrasive pads embedded with AD grits were prepared, and their lapping performance at loads of 7 kPa and 14 kPa were evaluated. It could be concluded that the concentration of binders in AD is a key factor in the strength of AD and further influencing the development of micro-fracture in FA lapping process. The higher the strength of AD, the higher the protrusion of AD and less likely to microfracturing during FA lapping at the same load. The self-conditioning of the FA pad could be achieved by the synergy of micro-fracturing of AD and wear of the resin matrix.