In high-speed and heavy-load grinding operations, the impact resistance of diamond grinding wheels is crucial for machining precision. This article delves deep into the core indicators of impact resistance - flexural strength and fracture toughness, and elaborates on the application methods of the three-point bending test and impact energy absorption test.
The impact resistance of diamond grinding wheels directly affects the machining accuracy in high-speed and heavy-load grinding conditions. For example, in a typical high-speed grinding process with a speed of over 80 m/s and a load of more than 500 N, a grinding wheel with poor impact resistance may lead to significant deviations in the workpiece's dimensions. According to industry statistics, in such harsh working conditions, about 30% of machining failures are related to the insufficient impact resistance of grinding wheels.
Flexural strength and fracture toughness are the two core mechanical indicators of the impact resistance of diamond grinding wheels. Flexural strength reflects the ability of the grinding wheel to resist bending under load. A higher flexural strength usually means better impact resistance. For instance, a grinding wheel with a flexural strength of over 300 MPa is generally considered to have good impact resistance in high-speed and heavy-load grinding. The three-point bending test is a common method to measure flexural strength. By applying a load at the center of a grinding wheel sample supported at both ends, the maximum load the sample can bear before breaking can be measured, and then the flexural strength can be calculated.
Fracture toughness represents the ability of the grinding wheel to resist crack propagation. A grinding wheel with high fracture toughness can better resist the impact and vibration during grinding, reducing the risk of sudden breakage. The impact energy absorption test is used to evaluate fracture toughness. By measuring the energy absorbed by the grinding wheel during an impact, the fracture toughness can be estimated. For example, a grinding wheel that can absorb more than 10 J of impact energy is considered to have good fracture toughness.
In a real machining case, a company was using a diamond grinding wheel for high-speed grinding of a precision workpiece. Due to the insufficient impact resistance of the grinding wheel, the surface of the workpiece showed obvious waviness and roughness, and the dimensional accuracy deviated by more than 0.05 mm, far exceeding the allowable tolerance of 0.01 mm. Moreover, the broken fragments of the grinding wheel also caused damage to the grinding machine, resulting in a significant increase in maintenance costs and production downtime.
On-site engineers and technicians can make a preliminary judgment of the grinding wheel's impact resistance through some simple observation methods. For example, by observing the surface of the grinding wheel, if there are obvious cracks or unevenness, it may indicate poor impact resistance. In addition, during the grinding process, if abnormal vibrations or noises are detected, it may also be a sign of insufficient impact resistance.
In conclusion, understanding the impact resistance of diamond grinding wheels in high-speed and heavy-load grinding is of great significance for mechanical processing engineers and technicians. By mastering the core indicators and testing methods of impact resistance, they can improve the wheel selection criteria and achieve efficient and stable grinding processing. If you want to learn more about the technical details of diamond grinding wheels and get professional technical support, click here to download our technical white paper and consult our experts.