Comparative micro-grinding performance of BK-7, Lithosil and N-SF14 glass using on-machine fabricated PCD tool

Abstract

The present study intends to investigate the comparative micro-grinding performance of BK-7, Lithosil and N-SF14 glass using on-machine fabricated PCD tool. In addition, the effects of cutting conditions on the grinding forces and surface finish of the glasses have been investigated. It has been found that the performance of the three glass materials differ mainly due to difference in hardness and fracture toughness of glass materials rather then cutting condition. It is also observed that the PCD tool performs better in grinding brittle materials, like BK-7 glass with surface roughness around 12.79 nm. However, Lithosil has higher cutting force causing tool rapid blunting and N-SF14 has swarf on its ground surface makes surface rougher.