THE EFFECT OF GRINDING METHODS ON HARD ALLOY TOOL INSERTS’ SURFACE QUALITY AND DURABILITY

Abstract

Investigations have been done concerning the influence of grinding methods on the surface quality and durability of hard alloy tools. The experiments were conducted on a horizontal grinding machine and universal lathe machine in Moscow State University of Technology. The following methods of grinding were adopted: “Dry†grinding, Grinding with compressed air and ionized gas medium (IGM) grinding. The samples (hard alloy tool inserts) for the experiment were obtained from the following grades of hard alloys: T14K8 and T5K10. The effect of the grinding methods on the grinding component forces, micro hardness, surface quality and durability of the hard alloy inserts were found. Tests were also carried out to find out the influence of grinding methods on the hard alloy inserts’ wear-resistance and efficiency after being coated with TiN as well as the quality of the surface(s) machined with such tools. The results showed that the surface quality of the ground inserts prior to coating, their durability and efficiency after coating, depends largely on the method of grinding employed. It was also observed that, the best way of preparing the surface of hard alloy material prior to coating is by grinding with the application of IGM.