Performance of micro-crystalline ceramic alumina wheels during creep feed grinding nickel-based superalloy

The dramatical reduction of abrasive crystallite size is an efficient way to improve grinding performance of wheels. In the present investigation, the performance of micro-crystalline ceramic alumina wheels in creep feed grinding Inconel 718 is investigated extensively. Grinding forces and temperature were measured and analysed to characterise the grinding process. Surface roughness was used to describe the quality of ground surfaces. Meanwhile, the wheel surface topography was also observed and studied. It was found that grinding forces of 5SG wheel were lower than that of SG wheel. Better surface quality and lower grinding forces and temperature were achieved by TG wheel when compared to SG wheel. Additionally, less adhesion was observed on 5SG wheel surface while dressing with higher feedrate. The results show that, grinding forces decrease when SG abrasives are blended with regular fused abrasives. High aspect ratio of TG abrasives reduces adhesion on the wheel surface. Furthermore, dressing with high...