On the limit of surface integrity of alumina by ductile-mode grinding

This paper investigates both experimentally and theoretically the subsurfac e damage in alumina by ductile-mode grinding. It found that the distributio n of the fractured area on a ground min-or surface, with the Rms roughness in the range from 30 nm to 90 nm, depends on not only the grinding conditio ns bur also the pores in the bulk material. Surface pit formation is the re sult of interaction of abrasive grains of the grinding wheel with pores. Th us the surface quality achievable by ductile-mode grinding is limited by th e initial microstructure of a material. The investigation shows that median and radial cracks do not appear and hence are not the cause of fracture as usually thought.