Performance evaluation of grinding wheels impregnated with graphene nanoplatelets

To provide the effective lubrication and thereby to reduce friction at the grinding wheel–work piece interface, resin-bonded grinding wheels impregnated with graphene nanoplatelets were developed. To study the impact of various physical characteristics of graphene nanoplatelets on the grinding performance, grinding wheels with varying graphene nanoplatelet concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 wt%), surface areas (300, 500 and 750 mm2/g) and widths (5, 15 and 25 μm) were manufactured. Different aspects of grinding performance (i.e. surface roughness, cutting forcers, grinding temperatures, grinding coefficient, specific grinding energy and grinding wheel wear ratio) are evaluated by grinding ‘difficult-to-machine-material’ Inconel 718 with these newly developed grinding wheels. The experimental results showed a considerable improvement in grinding process results with graphene nanoplatelets as compared to conventional grinding wheels. Grinding wheels impregnated with 1 wt% graphene are recommended for both extended wheel life and better surface quality. Graphene nanoplatelets with a 750-mm2/g surface area and a 15-μm platelet width were found to be effective in improving the quality of the ground surface.