Tribological Design of Grinding Wheels Using X-Ray Diffraction Techniques

Grinding wheel wear is a significant problem when the wheel has to be continuously dressed in order to maintain high productivity and high quality ground surfaces, especially during the manufacture of camshafts and crankshafts for automotive applications. This paper describes the use of x-rays to specifically engineer bonding systems for conventional abrasive grinding wheels so the wheel wears less during continuous dressing operations. The paper explains how the use of x-rays can be used to develop the next generation of bonding systems that will allow the grinding wheel to be cleaned and dressed with a laser without damaging the structure of the grinding wheel.