Burnishing process using a rotating ball-tool — effect of tool material on the burnishing process

• Published in: Wear Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 185 - 193
• Main Authors: Morimoto, Tokio, Tamamura, Kentaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 05.07.1991; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Metals. Metallurgy; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Mechanical polishing; Operating process; Surface treatment; Tool
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/0043-1648(91)90128-H

The cylindrical, machined surface of a steel bar was burnished under a rolling contact using a lathe and using a ball as a tool, i.e. a ball-tool; the ball-tool was rotated by the drive of the workpiece mounted on the lathe. To investigate the effect of the tool material on the burnishing process, five types of ball-tools, i.e. cemented carbide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, alumina ceramic, and bearing steel were used. The burnishing force pressing the ball-tool against the workpiece ranged from 5 to 170 N and the burnishing speed was 100 m min −1. Although the burnishing (or running) distance was usually short, less than 100 m, the influence of the burnishing distance on the burnishing process was also examined by long-distance burnishing processes, continuously extending over a distance of up to 760 m. The cemented carbide ball-tool accomplished the best results among all types of ball-tools used; it produced the smoothest surface and its own surface was hardly damaged after use for long-distance burnishing. The silicon nitride ceramic ball-tool also produced a smooth surface. Neither, the silicon carbide nor the alumina ceramic ball-tool gave satisfactory results.