Performance and Wear Behaviour of Diamond Fibre Grinding Wheels when Grinding Glass

• Published in: Key engineering materials 2004-01, Vol.257-258, p.245-250
• Main Authors: Pearce, T.R.A., Ashfold, M.N.R., Smith, N.P., Smith, David John, Comley, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1013-9826; 1662-9795; 1662-9795
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.257-258.245

Diamond coated fibres have been produced by a hot filament CVD technique, where the surface of the fibres has a faceted structure making them suitable for use as an abrasive medium. Grinding trials to determine the performance of a metal bonded diamond fibre grinding wheel have been carried out using a 'stale of the art' machining centre developed for the high precision ductile regime grinding of optics. Further work has been undertaken using a single fibre placed radially in a titanium disc to assess wear. Ductile ground surfaces were produced in BK7 glass with a surface roughness figure of 70 nm Ra, and less than 2 *mm sub-surface damage. The wear behaviour of the single fibre mounted in a disc wheel was monitored. Measurements showed that the initially sharp leading edge broke down to form a chamfered wear face, the profile produced by the fibre remaining similar. Diamond fibre grinding wheels have been shown to be capable of ductile grinding. These initial trials suggest that diamond fibres have the potential for longer wheel life, when grinding in the ductile region, compared with existing resin bond wheels.