Cubic boron nitride abrasives are used for gear grinding.

Release date:

2021-11-11

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The process capabilities of modern gear grinding machines can increase the volume of quenched gears that can be produced. However, surface defects arising when grinding with conventional abrasive tools remain a significant barrier, preventing the full realization of productivity potential. Surface and subsurface temper‑induced burns, as well as quench‑induced burns that result in tempering, reduce the strength of ground gears by 20% to 40%, thereby degrading their service performance.

When grinding with conventional abrasive tools, employing tools with discontinuous working surfaces can reduce the thermal intensity of the grinding process; however, corundum grains exhibit relatively low cutting performance and may also lead to burn damage, thereby compromising the wear resistance of gears and reducing productivity during gear grinding.

All of this has led to the replacement of corundum abrasives with more advanced tool materials that can ensure effective machining of carburized and quenched alloy steels; cubic boron nitride, which boasts high thermal stability and chemical inertness, is such a material.

Cubic boron nitride abrasives can have their grinding performance enhanced through metal coating of the abrasive grains. However, such coated cubic boron nitride abrasives are unsuitable for dry grinding, as the presence of metal in the abrasive working layer promotes elevated temperatures in the grinding zone and the occurrence of thermal damage.

To enhance the performance of cubic boron nitride abrasives in dry grinding, the former Institute of Superhard Materials of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences developed a method for depositing non-metallic coatings on abrasive grains. This approach strengthens the bond between the binder and the abrasive grains without raising the temperature in the cutting zone.