Monitoring of MMCs grinding process by means of IR thermography

The objective of this investigation is to assess the IR thermography as a monitoring system able to detect the grinding conditions in order to test its use as an industrial tool for optimizing and control the process. To this aim an experimental investigation has been carried out in the grinding of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs). These materials exhibit additional drawbacks with respect to conventional materials due to the abrasive nature of the reinforcement together with the softness of the matrix. The results show how the IR thermography can give a significant contribution in the definition of a strategy to control the grinding process as well as for the maintenance of the grinding machine.