To clarify the effects of ELID (Electrolytic In-process Dressing) grinding on fatigue properties of a stainless steel (SUSS 16L), bending fatigue tests were carried out. To measure the hardness of ground surface, nano-hardness tests were performed by using a Nano-Hardness Tester (NHT). Residual stress of the specimen surface created by grinding was also examined by an X-ray diffraction technique. Results show that the ELID grinding improves fatigue properties of metallic materials; this process increases fatigue strength of the stainless steel. This is due to the existence of hardened layer and compressive residual stress. Consequently, the ELID grinding method appears to offer significant future promise for use in biomaterials and other engineering components.
