Energy Partition for Grinding of Nodular Cast Iron With Vitrified CBN Wheels

An investigation was undertaken to determine the energy partition to the workpiece for grinding of an automotive nodular cast iron with a vitrified CBN wheel. The energy partition is a critical parameter which is needed for calculating grinding temperatures and predicting the occurrence of thermal damage to the workpiece. Straight surface grinding experiments were conducted over a wide range of removal rates to measure the workpiece temperature response and spindle power. Temperature matching analyses were then applied in order to obtain the energy partition. Values for the energy partition were found to range from 3 to 6% when the temperature at the grinding zone was maintained below the fluid burnout limit. Such low energy partitions indicate cooling of the workpiece by the fluid at the grinding zone. Higher energy partitions up to 60% were obtained by reducing or eliminating the fluid, which also raised the temperature above the burnout limit.