Creep feed grinding of alumina with diamond wheels

Influences of variables on responses are investigated based on the experimental results and statistical analysis. The conflicting influences of variables are observed. This leads to the formulation of the grinding process as a multiobjective nonlinear mixed integer problem. Off-line optimization is performed with the use of an empirical model which is established by using Regression Analysis technique. A set of non-dominated solutions is obtained which can be applied to various grinding applications.; An investigation into the mechanism of ceramics grinding, i.e. how ceramic materials are removed and how damages are induced, is carried out in this study. It is found that fracture and plastic deformation mechanisms are involved in the grinding of ceramics. The dominant material removal mechanism is found to be fracture or plastic deformation depending on the grinding conditions by using the indentation fracture mechanics approach. The SEM micrographs of the ground specimens reveal burnished regions generated by the plastic deformation mechanism as well as fractured regions due to fracture.; A stochastic study of the grinding process is performed by simulation. Fundamental grinding parameters are calculated. These parameters help in the explanation of the experimental results, the characterization of unit load distribution and the quantitative analysis of the relative importance of the material removal mechanism either by fracture or plastic deformation.; Relative investigations are also made regarding to the stabilization of diamond wheels and the calculation of the specific energy for fracture.