Performance evaluation of a grinding wheel using aggressiveness number

Abstract

Under high temperature and stress, the wheel-workpiece contact zone experiences plastic deformation followed by adhesion at the junctions, resulting in the development of micro welds. As a result, the grits lose their sharpness, making the grinding wheel dull and raising both the grinding forces and temperature. Previous studies have suggested numerous ways of increasing grinding efficacy. The present study introduces a novel method to map the specific energy and surface roughness using a dimensionless entity known as the aggressiveness number. The surface grinding operation of medium carbon steel was performed using a vitrified bonded alumina wheel (A60K5V) under dry condition for varied grinding parameters. The corresponding grinding forces were measured to calculate the specific energy consumption of the process. Afterword, the variation of surface roughness values with process parameters has also been calculated. The verification results revealed that specific energy consumption was inversely proportional to aggressiveness number, whereas the relationship between surface roughness and aggressiveness number was non-linear. The findings of this study are likely to assist machine operators in selecting the appropriate parameters required to enhance surface finish.