Experimental Study on Dispersion Stability and Polishing Performance of Polishing Solution Based on Micro-Abrasive Water Jet Polishing

Abstract

In micro-abrasive water jet polishing (MAWJP) technology, where abrasive particles serve as polishing tools, particles tend to form large clusters, leading to increased nozzle wear and diminished material polishing quality. Achieving a polishing solution with good dispersion stability is crucial for enhancing polishing accuracy and minimizing nozzle wear. Therefore, this study employed three dispersants with distinct dispersion mechanisms to examine the impact of each dispersant’s concentration on the dispersion stability of the polishing solution across various abrasive concentrations. Through experimentation, the optimal dispersant type and concentration ratio of abrasive to dispersant were determined, and the effect of the selected dispersant on jet polishing performance was validated. The results of the dispersion stability experiment indicated that, in comparison to Na(PO3)6 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), the polishing solution containing 1.0–2.0 wt% phosphoric ester compounds exhibited a more stable dispersion effect (zeta potential < −50 mV) and superior dispersibility, characterized by a smaller average particle size. Furthermore, K9 optical glass was subjected to fixed-point and local polishing using phosphoric ester compounds as the dispersant. The fixed-point polishing experiment revealed that, at a dispersant concentration of 1.0 wt% and an abrasive concentration of 20 wt%, a smooth and symmetrical material removal profile could be achieved. In the local polishing experiment, the reduction rate of the root mean square of the surface roughness (RMS) increased from 54.33% to 82.24%, and the reduction rate of peak-to-valley height difference in surface (PV) increased from 38.84% to 68.97%. In conclusion, the incorporation of a dispersant proves effective in enhancing the dispersion stability of the polishing solution and dispersibility of the abrasive particles, thereby improving the surface quality of the materials in MAWJP.