Specific grinding energy as an in-process control variable for ductile-regime grinding

This article addresses the problem of monitoring the material removal regime (ductile versus brittle) that occurs during the grinding of brittle materials. Often a ductile grinding regime is desired, but currently there is no way to measure the grinding ductility “in process.” A model is developed to describe the dependence of the specific grinding energy on the material removal regime. It is found that the specific grinding energy will remain relatively constant for ductile-regime grinding but will decrease in a power-law relationship with an increasing material removal rate for brittle-regime grinding. Experimental confirmation of the proposed model is presented. The potential for using measurements of specific grinding energy to control the grinding ductility is established, and the benefits of such a closed-loop feedback system in ductile-regime grinding are explained.