Nonwoven Wheel Polishing of Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo Alloys

This research investigates the nonwoven wheels polishing of Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo alloys, which are biocompatible materials for medical implants. The structure of the high porosity nonwoven wheels consisting of the nonwoven fibers and abrasive grains are characterized. The compressibility and stiffness of the wheel are measured. The stiffness of the wheel is nonlinear depending on the wheel surface speed and compression depth. Polishing tests at two levels of wheel surface speed and compression depth are conducted. Surface roughness and polishing forces are studied. Results demonstrated that polishing of Ti-6Al-4V is difficult, which has twice larger surface roughness than that of Co-Cr-Mo. The nonwoven wheel operating at lower surface speed and smaller compression depth is beneficial to generate a better surface roughness for Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo.