Grinding Titanium grade 1 alloy with an alumina wheelusing soap water

Grinding is a manufacturing process used mainly for semi finishing/ finishing operations. Many problems, such as high specific energy requirement, high grinding temperature and rapid wheel loading are associated with this process. These difficulties become more pronounced when grinding a difficult-to-grind material, such as titanium, a metal used mainly in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and nuclear industries. Inability of the conventional fluid in effective lubrication and cooling along with their adverse environmental impact has prompted a worldwide need for an alternative grinding fluid and its delivery systems. This paper focuses on the effect of soap water delivered in two ways- firstly, in a drop by drop method, and secondly, as a high velocity jet. Results show that using soap water drop by drop, high grinding ratio is achieved; however, forces increase and poor surface quality is observed. On the other hand, a jet of soap water applied during grinding results in lowest tangential force, acceptable surface quality and lower surface roughness; also, chips obtained are of shear type, indicating better grindability.