FELID Mirror Grinding Technology: Development of New Grinding Fluids
Introduction
Grinding is a machining process used to impart a certain shape and finish to materials, typically metals. The types of grinding can vary to include cylindrical grinding, internal grinding, surface grinding, and form grinding, as well as the more specialized processes such as FELID mirror grinding. Mirror grinding is a finishing process in which the surface of a workpiece is ground to a smooth and mirror-like finish. This process requires a great deal of precision to achieve the desired results. To this end, it is important to choose the right grinding fluids for the job. FELID mirror grinding has the particular requirement of high fluidity and cooling capabilities to be able to grind perfectly curved surfaces. Therefore, the development of new grinding fluids specifically designed for FELID mirror grinding has become a major area of research.
Traditional Grinding Fluids
Grinding fluids typically fall into two categories, oils and waters, both of which are designed to reduce heat, provide lubrication, and remove chips and debris. Water-based fluids are preferred over oil-based fluids due to their higher fire safety standard, the ease of clean-up and the fact that they are composed of a non-toxic base material. However, water-based fluids are not as effective at reducing heat as oil-based fluids and tend to cause more corrosion. Oil-based fluids are typically composed of mineral oils, esters, or synthetic products such as polymers and silicones. They are more effective at reducing heat, are less corrosive, offer better lubrication, and are better able to remove chips from the workpiece.
FELID Mirror Grinding Fluids
FELID mirror grinding requires a special set of properties in order for the process to be successful. As mentioned previously, FELID mirror grinding requires high fluidity, cooling capabilities, and lubrication, as well as good chip removal and minimal corrosion of the grinding wheel.
A number of researchers have developed novel grinding fluids specifically designed for use in FELID mirror grinding. These fluids are typically composed of a base oil, such as mineral oil or polyol ester, and a variety of additives such as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and antifoams. These additives can be tailored to the particular needs of the application, providing the necessary heat reduction, lubrication, and chip removal.
In addition to the oil base, water-based grinding fluids can also be used in FELID mirror grinding. Water-based fluids often provide more lubrication to the workpiece, helping to reduce grinding forces, and are generally less hazardous to use than oil-based fluids. Water-based fluids are often composed of base oils, such as polyglycols and polyalkylene glycols, as well as additives such as surfactants and corrosion inhibitors.
Conclusion
FELID mirror grinding is an extremely precise process that requires the use of specialized fluids. Traditional grinding fluids, such as oils and waters, are not optimal for FELID mirror grinding. Therefore, the development of new and specialized grinding fluids for this application has become an important area of research. These specialized fluids are typically composed of a base oil, such as mineral oil or polyol ester, and a variety of additives such as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants and antifoams. Water-based fluids can also be used and provide additional advantages such as increased lubrication, reduced grinding forces, and a safer working environment. In either case, the additives provide the necessary heat reduction, lubrication, and chip removal for reliable and high-precision FELID mirror grinding.