Experimental Studies on Mechanism of Material Removal in Abrasive Flow Machining Process

Abstract

In this article, the mechanism of material removal (MR) in Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process has been studied. Representative components of pure Aluminum and Brass were processed by AFM under similar process conditions. The processed surfaces were analyzed with the help of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM photographs reveal noticeable difference between abrasion patterns produced on the processed surfaces of both the materials. A mechanism of MR has been proposed by examining the nature of interaction between the flowing abrasive medium and target work surfaces of selected materials.

Keywords:

• Abrasive Flow Machining
• Abrasive laden medium
• Deburring
• Deformable/flexible grinding tool
• Edge finishing
• Embrittlement
• Machining
• Material removal mechanism
• Microchips
• Microcutting
• Plastic deformation
• Plowing
• Process cycle
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Smearing
• Wear of materials
• Work hardening