New Abrasive Technology for Aluminum

New Abrasive Technology for Aluminum

To break the loading mechanism feedback loop, the abrasive grain must become more resistant to metal loading. This is because the loading mechanism starts at the grain tips and grows cohesively to cover large areas of the grinding wheel.

During grinding, individual abrasive grains undergo thermal and mechanical stresses as they continuously strike the workpiece. These stresses may cause the grain to crack or fracture in different ways. The type of grain fracture as well as the overall rate of grain fracture is dependent on the microstructure of the grain and is correlated to several grain properties, including hardness and resistance to heat, impact, and shock. A grain that readily fractures and breaks down is known as friable, and one that wears down slowly is known as durable.

Grain fracture is self-sharpening, as it exposes new cutting surfaces. In the case of aluminum grinding, as the grain fractures, the ejected pieces can lift away pieces of stuck aluminum metal, leaving behind a fresh, clean cutting point.