Soft abrasive flow polishing method and optimization research on the constrained space

The spatial structure of the constrained space determines the polishing efficiency and polishing quality of the soft abrasive flow (SAF) polishing method. A basic SAF polishing mode with universal guiding significance was built in this paper, and the effect of the spatial structure of constrained space on SAF polishing was studied. Based on the coupling of the Euler’s multiphase flow model and the standard turbulence model, a SAF hydrodynamic model was constructed to obtain the dynamic characteristics of the abrasive flow in the constrained flow passage and to reveal how the key parameters determining the spatial structure of constrained space affect the SAF polishing. The results showed that the inlet angle of the constrained space determines the injection posture of the abrasive flow. When the inlet angle reduces, the impact between the abrasive flow and the constrained wall is weakened, and the distributions of fluid turbulent kinetic energy, dynamic pressure, and granular pressure tend to be uniform. The height of the constrained space is a key factor affecting the polishing efficiency of the SAF. As the height of the space decreases, the material removal rate is enhanced significantly, but the turbulent impact ability of the abrasive particles is weakened. The height of the constrained space should be set to near the critical value of turbulent flow variation. Based upon the simulation, an experimental platform for SAF polishing was built, and the accuracy of the simulation results and the effectiveness of the polishing method were verified by the comparative polishing experiments.