Effects of O₂ Fine Bubbles on ELID Grinding Using Conductive Rubber Bond Grinding Wheel

Abstract

This study proposes a new grinding system using grinding fluid containing oxygenic fine bubbles (O₂FBs) to realize high-performance electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID) using a conductive rubber bond grinding wheel. It was found that grinding fluid containing O₂FBs dramatically increases the dissolved oxygen in the grinding fluid. In addition, the O₂FBs in the fluid are drawn to the conductive rubber bond grinding wheel, which is the positive pole, during ELID. These effects are thought to enhance the dressing performance of the conductive rubber bond grinding wheel. Grinding of pure titanium using the proposed grinding system was found to realize mirror surface finishing while increasing the amount of removed workpiece material, compared to when ELID was not applied and to when ELID grinding was conducted using a normal grinding fluid. Effects of ELID grinding on surface modification were also observed, confirming that the proposed grinding system is able to form a thick oxidized film on pure titanium.