Studies on the Grinding Characteristics of SiC Particle Reinforced Aluminum-Based MMCs

Abstract

SiC-particle-reinforced aluminum-based metal matrix composite is one of the important composites among the metal matrix composites, for their various advantages such as lightweight, high specific modulus, specific strength, wear resistance and high temperature resistance. The precision machining of these advanced materials will not be possible without the solution of the grindability problem, which resists wide spread engineering application of PRAlMMCs as precise parts. This paper investigates the grinding performance and burn mechanism of SiC-particle-reinforced aluminum-based MMCs through thesystematical grinding experiments. Grinding characteristics of these MMCs including grinding force, grinding temperature, morphology of ground surface, surface roughness, residual stress, and chemical composition of the surface layer are obtained and analyzed by the various advanced measuring method. Experiment results reveal the varieties of grinding force, grinding temperature and surface integrity with the onset of grinding burn. The grinding burn mechanism can be unveiled by the varieties of grinding properties. Grinding experiments are conducted under different grinding conditions so as to explore the appropriate grinding parameters to obtain good surface integrity. The research results are of great significance for high efficiency and precision grinding of MMCs, thus promote the wide application of these advanced materials on the precise and wearable components.