Optimization of Wet Grinding Conditions of Sheets Made of Stainless Steel

Abstract

This study addresses the wet grinding of large stainless steel sheets, because it is difficult to subject them to dry grinding. Because stainless steel has a low thermal conductivity and a high coefficient of thermal expansion, it easily causes grinding burn and thermal deformation while dry grinding on the wheel without applying a cooling effect. Therefore, wet grinding is a better alternative. In this study, we made several types of grinding wheels, performed the wet grinding of stainless steel sheets, and identified the wheels most suitable for the process. As such, this study developed a special accessory that could be attached to a wet grinding workpiece. The attachment can maintain constant pressure, rotational speed, and supply grinding fluid during work. A set of experiments was conducted to see how some grinding wheels subjected to some grinding conditions affected the surface roughness of a workpiece made of a stainless steel sheet (SUS 304, according to Japanese Industrial Standards: JIS). It was found that the roughness of the sheet could be minimized when a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) grinding wheel was used as the grinding wheel and tap water was used as the grinding fluid at an attachment pressure of 0.2 MPa and a rotational speed of 150 rpm. It was shown that a surface roughness of up to 0.3 μm in terms of the arithmetic average height could be achieved if the above conditions were satisfied during wet grinding. The final surface roughness was 0.03 μm after finish polishing by buffing. Since the wet grinding of steel has yet to be studied in detail, this article will serve as a valuable reference.