Study on textured CBN grinding wheel by laser cladding

In this investigation, in order to improve bonding strength between superabrasive/metal matrix/grinding substrate, life span of grinding wheel, and grinding using small grits in continuous grinding simultaneously to fit for high speed and high precision machining in industry, coaxial powder feeding laser cladding method with CAD/CAM technology is introduced to manufacture textured CBN/CuSnTi–grinding wheels. The morphology of CBN grit on laser-cladding layer under optimized laser-cladding parameters and a pit created by fallen-off CBN on laser-cladding layer with lower laser–cladding energy density are observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The element distributions of interfaces of CBN/CuSnTi/AISI 1045 are analyzed by SEM and energy disperse spectroscope (EDS). The morphology and elements distribution of residual resultants on the surface of CBN grits etched by nitric acid are analyzed by SEM and EDS. Comparative-grinding process between laser cladding–grinding wheel (LCGW) and customized electroplated grinding wheel (EGW) is analyzed with grinding forces and temperature aspects respectively. The wear morphology of CBN grits on LCGW after grinding is observed by SEM. The results show that CBN grit with integrate cutting edges can protrude 50% height of its diameter on laser-cladding layer under optimized laser–cladding parameters. Fe, N, Ti, and B segregates attached to the interfaces of CBN/CuSnTi/AISI 1045 with Cu and Sn distributed uniformly in the laser-cladding layer. Residual resultants on CBN can be divided into two parts based on the distances from the surface of CBN grits. The grinding forces (Fz and Fy) and grinding temperature from LCGW are lower than those from EGW. The wear conditions of CBN on laser cladding are three parts: microfracture, cleavage plane, and wear-out.