Surface and Material Modifications of Tempered Steel after Precision Grinding with Electroplated Coarse Grained Diamond Wheels

One particular kind of engineered grinding wheels are precisely profiled grinding tools with flattened coarse diamond grains, primarily used for machining of brittle materials. Because of their grain geometries, they are also expected to introduce mechanical strains into steel workpieces generating a work hardening effect. Also low surface roughnesses combined with favorable compressive residual stresses are targeted. In this paper the feasibility of this process technology is investigated and possible adverse aspects are identified. These findings can be used in future to further develop the process towards higher forces and speeds and thus conditions close to industrial applications in conventional grinding of steel parts.