Abstract
The paper is concerned with the finishing process using magnetic fluid, and it aims at obtaining a high removal rate in the finishing process whose abrasives are supported by liquid. In the case of using magnetic fluid as polishing fluid, the effect of ferrite particles and surface active agents which contained in magnetic fluid on removability needs to be investigated. An experiment of conventional finish using magnetic fluid as polishing fluid is performed where polyurethan polishing pad is used. The removal rate by using magnetic fluid becomes lower than that by using water in this process, because high viscosity of magnetic fluid cause better lubrication between workpiece and abrasives. Next, a few experiments of the affinity between magnetic fluid and abrasives are carried out. The strong affinity is undesirable because it causes the good lubrication too. On the other hand, in the case of finishing process which abrasives are floating on the magnetic fluid, high viscosity should be desirable because it strengthens the supporting force of abrasives. Several experiments of polishing applying the magnetic levita-tion make it clear that the finishing characteristics are affected by the magnetic field strength and viscosity of the mixture of magnetic fluid and abrasives.
