Effect of fine bubbles on grinding wheel surface during ELID grinding

As fine bubbles have negative zeta potential, it is possible for them to interact effectively with the grinding wheel as an anode during electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID) grinding. This study was performed to investigate the effects of fine bubbles on the surface of a grinding wheel through an ELID grinding test using a grinding fluid containing fine bubbles. First, observation of the behavior of fine bubbles using an ELID system and a high-speed camera confirmed that fine bubble was attracted to the anode during ELID grinding. Grinding tests using a metal-bonded grinding wheel and grinding fluid containing fine bubbles showed that the amount of wear of the grinding wheel was reduced due to a reduction in grinding force. Finally, fine bubbles were confirmed to be efficiently attracted to the grinding wheel during ELID grinding, thus confirming that fine bubbles prevented clogging of the grinding wheel.