Non-magnetic fluid grinding

• Published in: Wear Vol. 223; no. 1; pp. 7 - 12
• Main Authors: Chang, F.Y, Childs, T.H.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.12.1998; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ball bearings; Bearings, bushings, rolling bearings; Ceramic finishing; Drives; Exact sciences and technology; Friction, wear, lubrication; Grinding; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Ceramic finishing; Ball bearings; Grinding; Mechanical drive; Silicon nitride; Machining; Magnetic fluid; Experimental study; Surface finishing; Modeling; Ball bearing; Dragging; Friction coefficient; Cutting fluid; Ceramic materials; Sliding friction
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1648(98)00257-9

This paper describes a development of the magnetic fluid grinding process for the finish manufacture of ceramic balls. Magnetic fluid in magnetic fluid grinding has three functions: to cause viscous drag on balls moving through it, so that large sliding speeds may be created at the contacts between the balls and their drive (grinding) shaft, to create a very compliant suspension for the balls and to levitate loose grinding grits so that they may embed in the drive shaft. But magnetic fluid is costly and needs to be maintained. Here it is shown how these functions have been realised without magnetic fluid. The non-magnetic fluid grinding process has achieved removal rates from silicon nitride balls 25 times higher than lapping, in the same way as has magnetic fluid grinding.