Mechanism of Surface Evolution in Vibratory Media Finishing

The mechanism of surface evolution in the vibratory media finishing process is investigated through changes in surface profiles with process time. Using the profile of a masked portion of the surface as reference, changes in the surface profile mean line, peaks and valleys with time are examined. Peak heights are seen to reduce while surprisingly valley depths are also seen to diminish indicating evidence of plastic displacement of material from the peaks into the valleys. The surface evolution is thus shown to be a combination of material removal and plastic deformation of the peaks. This also partially explains the surface roughness saturation with time.