Deformation, failure and removal mechanisms of thin film structures in abrasive machining

Thin film structures are becoming increasingly more important for industrial applications such as the making of solar panels, microelectronic devices and micro systems. However, the challenges encountered in the machining of thin film structures have been a bottleneck that impedes further wide spread uses of such structures. The development of material removal processes that are capable of producing a damage free surface at high removal rates is critical for cost effective production. Such development relies highly on a comprehensive understanding of the deformation, failure and removal mechanisms of thin film structures involved in mechanical loading. In this paper, the current understanding of the deformation characteristics of thin film systems was reviewed to provide important insights into the interracial failure under mechanical loading, with focuses on the interfacial failure mechanisms and existing problems in the machining of thin film structures. The key characterization techniques were outlined. In particular, the recent progress in the abrasive machining of a thin film multilayer structure was summarized. The potential research directions were also presented in the end of the review.

Abrasive Waterjet Machining Simulation by Coupling Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics /Finite Element Method

In dealing with abrasive waterjet machining（AWJM） simulation,most literatures apply finite element method（FEM） to build pure waterjet models or single abrasive particle erosion models.To overcome the mesh distortion caused by large deformation using FEM and to consider the effects of both water and abrasive,the smoothed particle hydrodynamics（SPH） coupled FEM modeling for AWJM simulation is presented,in which the abrasive waterjet is modeled by SPH particles and the target material is modeled by FEM.The two parts interact through contact algorithm.Utilizing this model,abrasive waterjet with high velocity penetrating the target materials is simulated and the mechanism of erosion is depicted.The relationships between the depth of penetration and jet parameters,including water pressure and traverse speed,etc,are analyzed based on the simulation.The simulation results agree well with the existed experimental data.The mixing multi-materials SPH particles,which contain abrasive and water,are adopted by means of the randomized algorithm and material model for the abrasive is presented.The study will not only provide a new powerful tool for the simulation of abrasive waterjet machining,but also be beneficial to understand its cutting mechanism and optimize the operating parameters.

Approach for Polishing Diamond Coated Complicated Cutting Tool: Abrasive Flow Machining(AFM)

Lower surface roughness and sharper cutting edge are beneficial for improving the machining quality of the cut?ting tool, while coatings often deteriorate them. Focusing on the diamond coated WC?Co milling cutter, the abrasive flow machining(AFM) is selected for reducing the surface roughness and sharpening the cutting edge. Comparative cutting tests are conducted on di erent types of coated cutters before and after AFM, as well as uncoated WC?Co one, demonstrating that the boron?doped microcrystalline and undoped fine?grained composite diamond coated cutter after the AFM(AFM?BDM?UFGCD) is a good choice for the finish milling of the 6063 Al alloy in the present case, because it shows favorable machining quality close to the uncoated one, but much prolonged tool lifetime. Besides, compared with the micro?sized diamond films, it is much more convenient and e cient to finish the BDM?UFGCD coated cutter covered by nano?sized diamond grains, and resharpen its cutting edge by the AFM, owing to the lower initial surface roughness and hardness. Moreover, the boron incorporation and micro?sized grains in the underly?ing layer can enhance the film?substrate adhesion, avoid the rapid film removal in the machining process, and thus maximize the tool life(1040 m, four times more than the uncoated one). In general, the AFM is firstly proposed and discussed for post?processing the diamond coated complicated cutting tools, which is proved to be feasible for improving the cutting performance

Elbow precision machining technology by abrasive flow based on direct Monte Carlo method

The investigation was carried out on the technical problems of finishing the inner surface of elbow parts and the action mechanism of particles in elbow precision machining by abrasive flow.This work was analyzed and researched by combining theory,numerical and experimental methods.The direct simulation Monte Carlo(DSMC)method and the finite element analysis method were combined to reveal the random collision of particles during the precision machining of abrasive flow.Under different inlet velocity,volume fraction and abrasive particle size,the dynamic pressure and turbulence flow energy of abrasive flow in elbow were analyzed,and the machining mechanism of particles on the wall and the influence of different machining parameters on the precision machining quality of abrasive flow were obtained.The test results show the order of the influence of different parameters on the quality of abrasive flow precision machining and establish the optimal process parameters.The results of the surface morphology before and after the precision machining of the inner surface of the elbow are discussed,and the surface roughness Ra value is reduced from 1.125μm to 0.295μm after the precision machining of the abrasive flow.The application of DSMC method provides special insights for the development of abrasive flow technology.

FORMING AND PRECISION MACHINING TO NANOMATERIALS LUMP

The technology of forming and machining lump nano-materials has beeninvestigated. Grinding, abrasive machining test has been conducted to Fe, Co, Ni and Al lumpnano-materials. Experiments have been done to measure grinding force, grinding thermal, machiningroughness and micro-hardness. Image analysis is carried out by metallographic and scanning tunnelmicroscopic microscope. Researches provide the basis data for forming and machining lumpnano-materials.

Experimental study of free abrasive wire sawing by using multi-strands wire

Grains in the slurry can be brought into cutting zone by steel wire with a certain speed to achieve the purpose of removing the workpiece material in the free abrasive wire sawing machining. Because its own of multi- strands characteristics, we use it to replace the steel wire to do slicing experiment. In this paper, multi-strands wire is made by seven metal wires and has many grooves on its surface. Compared with steel wire, it can carry more grains into cutting zone which is conducive to improving the slicing efficiency. We do some comparative slic- ing experimcnts by applying multi-strands wire （~b0.25 mm） and steel wire （~b0.25 mm） to cut optical glass （K9）. The results show that slicing efficiency and the surface roughness of the workpiece sliced by using multi-strands wire are better than that by using steel wire. but the kerf width of the former is wider than that of the latter in the same experimental conditions.

Clarification of abrasive jet precision finishing with wheel as restraint mechanisms and experimental verification

According to the critical size ratio for the characteristic particle size to film thickness between grinding wheel and work, the machining mechanisms in abrasive jet precision finishing with grinding wheel as restraint can be categorized into four states, namely, two-body lapping, three-body polishing, abrasive jet machining and fluid hydrodynamic shear stress machining. The critical transition condition of two-body lapping to three-body polishing was analyzed. The single abrasive material removal models of two-body lapping, three-body polishing, abrasive jet finishing and fluid hydrodynamic shear stress machining were proposed. Experiments were performed in the refited plane grinding machine for theoretical modes verification. It was found that experimental results agreed with academic modes and the modes validity was verified.

Experimental Investigation on Constrained Abrasive Fluid Polishing for Optical Glass

To find a cost effective,high-precision and environmental friendly way of polishing for optical glass,a series of experiments were focused on about constrained abrasive fluid polishing. Since abrasive particles can repeatedly impact the workpiece in a multidirectional way with high energy, the constrained abrasive fluid polishing method for optical glass has been proposed based on the abrasive fluid machining theory and elastic emission machining theory. A constrained abrasive fluid polishing system was designed and developed to polish K9 glass samples. Results show that K9 glass obtains a high accuracy with less fluid. Experiments indicate that,in a more effective,high-precision and environmental friendly way,constrained abrasive fluid polishing is possible to improve the quality of workpiece surface compared with free abrasive fluid polishing. In the process of removing materials of constrained abrasive fluid polishing,it gives priority to removing the materials of high spot and the high frequency error of smooth local zone can be modified. The abrasive particles can repeatedly impact the workpiece in a multidirectional way,and there are certain relationship among surface quality,material removal rate, and parameters such as speed,clearance, angle, time and particle size. In the process of constrained abrasive fluid polishing, it shows a high material removal rate,and it needn't to clamp workpieces. As a result,it could improve the processing efficiency significantly. The research on constrained abrasive fluid polishing has a practical significance and practical value in industrial production.

Assessment of wear micromechanisms on a laser textured cemented carbide tool during abrasive-like machining by FIB/FESEM

The combined use of focused ion beam(FIB)milling and field-emission scanning electron microscopy inspection(FESEM)is a unique and successful approach for assessment of near-surface phenomena at specific and selected locations.In this study,a FIB/FESEM dual-beam platform was implemented to docment and analyze the wear micromechanisms on a laser-surface textured(LST)hardmetal(HM)tool.In particular,changes in surface and microstructural integrity of the laser-sculptured pyramids(effective cutting microfeatures)were characterized after testing the LST-HM tool against a steel workpiece in a workbench designed to simulate an external honing process.It was demonstrated that:(1)laser-surface texturing does not degrade the intrinsic surface integrity and tool effectiveness of HM pyramids;and(2)there exists a correlation between the wear and loading of shaped pyramids at the local level.Hence,the enhanced performance of the laser-textured tool should consider the pyramid geometry aspects rather than the microstructure assemblage of the HM grade used,at least for attempted abrasive applications.

Experimental and numerical investigation of the abrasive waterjet machining of aluminum-7075-T6 for aerospace applications

The machining of hard-to-cut materials with a high degree of precision and high surface quality is one of the most critical considerations when fabricating various state-of-the-art engineered components.In this investigation,a comprehensive three-dimensional model was developed and numerically simulated to predict kerf profiles and material removal rates while drilling the aluminum-7075-T6 aerospace alloy.Kerf profile and material removal prediction involved three stages:jet dynamic flow modeling,abrasive particle tracking,and erosion rate pre-diction.Experimental investigations were conducted to validate the developed model.The results indicate that the jet dynamic characteristics and flow of abrasive particles alter the kerf profiles,where the top kerf diameter increases with increasing jet pressure and standoff distance.The kerf depth and hole aspect ratio increase with jet pressure,but decrease with standoff distance and machining time.Crosssectional profiles were characterized by progressive edge rounding and parabolic shapes.Defects can be minimized by utilizing high jet pressure and small standoff distance.The material removal rate increases with increasing jet pressure,abrasive particle size,and exposure time,but decreases with increasing standoff distance.

Research on the underlying mechanism behind abrasive flow machining on micro-slit structures and simulation of viscoelastic media

In this study,the machining mechanism of abrasive flow machining(AFM)microstructures was analyzed in depth according to the transmission morphology and rheological behaviors of the abrasive media.The transmission morphology demonstrated the excellent combination of the polymer melt with abrasive grains at the interface,indicating that the polymer melt,combined with the uniform distribution of the polymer chains,could exert a harmonious axial force on the abrasive grains.Based on the rheological behavior analysis of the abrasive media,for example,the stress relaxation and moduli of storage and loss,a machining mechanism model was established incorporating the effect of microplastic deformation and continuous viscous flow,which was further verified by the grooves along the flow direction.In addition,the PhanThien-Tanner(PTT)model combined with a wall slipping model was employed to simulate the machining process for the first time here.The value of the simulated pressure(1.3 MPa)was similar to the measured pressure(1.45 MPa),as well as the simulated volumetric rate(0.0114 mL/s)to the measured volumetric rate(0.067 mL/s),which further proved the validity of the simulation results.The flow duration(21 s)derived from a velocity of 1.2 mm/s further confirmed the residual stretched state of the polymer chains,which favored the elasticity of the abrasive media on the grains.Meanwhile,the roughly uniform distribution of the shear rate at the main machining region exhibited the advantages of evenly spread storage and loss moduli,contributing to the even extension of indentation caused by the grains on the target surface,which agreed with the mechanism model and machined surface morphology.

Simulation of abrasive flow machining process for 2D and 3D mixture models

Improvement of surface finish and material removal has been quite a challenge in a finishing operation such as abrasive flow machining （AFM）. Factors that affect the surface finish and material removal are media viscosity, extrusion pressure, piston velocity, and particle size in abrasive flow machining process. Performing experiments for all the parameters and accurately obtaining an optimized parameter in a short time are difficult to accomplish because the operation requires a precise finish. Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） simulation was employed to accurately determine optimum parameters. In the current work, a 2D model was designed, and the flow analysis, force calculation, and material removal prediction were performed and compared with the available experi- mental data. Another 3D model for a swaging die finishing using AFM was simulated at different viscosities of the media to study the effects on the controlling parameters. A CFD simulation was performed by using commercially available ANSYS FLUENT. Two phases were considered for the flow analysis, and multiphase mixture model was taken into account. The fluid was considered to be a Newtonian fluid and the flow laminar with no wall slip.

Effect of back pressure on the grinding performance of abrasive suspension flow machining

Abrasive suspension flow machining(ASFM)is an advanced finishing method that uses an abrasive suspension slurry for grinding and chamfering as well as the finishing of inaccessible components.This study examines the effect of back pressure on the grinding characteristics of an abrasive suspension flow during the grinding of slender holes.A numerical model was developed to simulate the abrasive suspension flow in a slender hole and was verified experimentally using injector nozzle grinding equipment under different grinding pressures and back pressures.It is shown that the ASFM with back pressure not only eliminates the cavitation flow in the spray hole,but also increases the number of effective abrasive particles and the flow coefficient.Increasing the back pressure during the grinding process can increase the Reynolds number of the abrasive suspension flow and reduce the thickness of the boundary layer in the slender hole.Moreover,increasing the back pressure can improve the flow rate of the injector nozzle and its grinding performance.