Utilisation Potential of Mechanical Material Loads during Grinding by Means of a Novel Tool Concept

The objective of this work is to improve the surface and subsurface properties of steel parts by means of a new grinding tool concept featuring nearly spherical grains in an elastic bonding system and to uncover the underlying mechanisms leading to the intended improvement of surface integrity. The resulting workpiece topography and subsurface properties, such as residual stresses, are evaluated to characterise and assess the potential of this novel tool concept. Micrographs and EBSD images are also analysed. The results show increased mechanical process loads and resulting favourable subsurface properties in terms of mechanically induced plastic deformation and compressive residual stresses, revealing the high potential of spherical grains in an elastic bonding system.