Grindability evaluation of ultrasonic assisted grinding of silicon nitride ceramic using minimum quantity lubrication based SiO₂ nanofluid

Abstract

Minimum quantity Lubrication (MQL) is a sustainable lubrication system that is famous in many machining systems. It involve the spray of an infinitesimal amount of mist-like lubricants during machining processes. The MQL system is affirmed to exhibit an excellent machining performance, and it is highly economical. The nanofluids are understood to exhibit excellent lubricity and heat evacuation capability, compared to pure oil-based MQL system. Studies have shown that the surface quality and amount of energy expended in the grinding operations can be reduced considerably due to the positive effect of these nanofluids. This work presents an experimental study on the tribological performance of SiO2 nanofluid during grinding of Si3N4 ceramic. The effect different grinding modes and lubrication systems during the grinding operation was also analyzed. Different concentrations of the SiO2 nanofluid was manufactured using canola, corn and sunflower oils. The quantitative evaluation of the grinding process was done based on the amount of grinding forces, specific grinding energy, frictional coefficient, and surface integrity. It was found that the canola oil exhibits optimal lubrication performance compared to corn oil, sunflower oil, and traditional lubrication systems. Additionally, the introduction of ultrasonic vibrations with the SiO2 nanofluid in MQL system was found to reduce the specific grinding energy, normal grinding forces, tangential grinding forces, and surface roughness by 65%, 57%, 65%, and 18% respectively. Finally, regression analysis was used to obtain an optimum parameter combinations. The observations from this work will aid the smooth transition towards ecofriendly and sustainable machining of engineering ceramics.