Mechanics of loading for electroplated cubic boron nitride (CBN) wheels during grinding of a nickel based superalloy in water-based lubricating fluids

The mechanics of wheel loading of the nickel-based s uperalloy onto electroplated CBN wheels during grinding with water-based lubricants is proposed. Wheel loading was the primary cause for the significant decrease in grinding wheel life for the current formulation of water-based lubricants tested. Evidence of the specific sequence in the deposition process has been captured through extended evaluation and characterization of the grinding wheel surface and adherent alloy material. The proposed mechanism provides a phenomenological understanding of wheel loading for grinding operations using water-based lubricants, aiming to promote testing of future generation grinding lubricants and advanced fluid delivery methods specific to these operations.