Grinding of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Al2O3 or SiC Particles

This paper presents results obtained from the grinding of aluminium-based metal matrix composites reinforced with either aluminium oxide (Al2O3) or silicon carbide (SiC) particles using grinding wheels made of SiC in a vitrified matrix or diamond in a resin-bonded matrix. The study used grinding speeds of 1100–2200 m min^-1 , a grinding depth of 15 _m for rough grinding and 0.1–1 _m for fine grinding, a crossfeed of 3 mm and 1 mm for rough and fine grinding, respectively,while maintaining a constant table feedrate of 20.8 m min ^-1 . Surface integrity of the ground surfaces and subsurfaces was analysed using a scanning electron microscope and a profilometer. Grinding using a 3000-grit diamond wheel at depths of cut of 1 _m and 0.5 _m produced ductile streaks on the Al2O3 particles and the SiC particles, respectively. There was almost no subsurface damage except for rare cracked particles when fine grinding with the diamond wheel.