Effects of Abrasive Types on Grinding of Chopped Strand Mat Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Laminates

A grindability study of chopped strand mat glass fiber reinforced polymer laminates (CSM GFRP) has been carried out to evaluate the effects of abrasive types on grinding force ratio and area roughness at varying grinding parameters such as speed, feed and depth of cut. Performances of alumina (Al₂O₃) and cubic boron nitride (CBN) wheels were compared. Both wheels delivered the maximum grinding force ratios at low speed, high feed and low depth of cut. Alumina wheel produced smoother surface when grinding at low speed, low feed and high depth of cut. CBN wheel, on the other hand, gave smoother surface at high feed and low depth of cut conditions, regardless of speed. With CBN wheel, it is likely that a single grinding condition exists that maximizes grinding force ratio and minimizes area roughness. The findings indicate that CBN wheel exhibited higher grinding force ratio than alumina grinding wheel in general. CBN grinding wheel also outperformed alumina grinding wheel by producing smoother ground surface in most cases.