Effect of Binder Content on Hybrid Magnetic Tool Behavior

This paper proposes the use of a hybrid magnetic tool, consisting of magnetic particles bonded with water-soluble glue, to improve both surface roughness and form accuracy of brittle materials such as ceramics. As the binder gradually dissolves into the lubricant, the bonded hybrid magnetic tool transforms to a particle brush in a magnetic field, increasing the deformability of the tool and its ability to conform to the target surface. This paper describes the effects of the tool transformation — from a bonded tool to a particle brush — on the characteristics of finished yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser ceramics. The bonded tool removes material to flatten and smooth the target surface at the start of the process, gradually transitions to a particle brush (starting at the tool periphery), and finally smooths the surface as a flexible particle brush. The tool deformability and transition speed are adjustable by the binder content.