Mechanisms of alcohols in assisting the diamond grinding of ceramics

A high molecular weight alcohol mixture has been found to offer higher grin ding rates over time in machining ceramics using diamond tools. The benefit s can be attributed to surface interactions of the alcohols with diamond su rfaces forming a tenacious protective film under grinding conditions. The d iamond particles are then protected from wear and remain sharp under grindi ng conditions. This allows sustained high machining rates over a much longe r period of time. time. The ability of the alcohols to enhance grinding rat es has been observed in a laboratory diamond cutter a vertical grinder; and a surface grinder A subsequent field trial was conducted in a manufacturin g plant for five months, grinding cemented tungsten carbide cutting inserts using diamond tools. Results validated the observed laboratory benefits.