A Study on the Machinability of Steels and Alloys to Develop Recommendations for Setting Tool Performance Characteristics and Belt Grinding Modes

This article presents a methodology for designing belt grinding operations with grinding and lapping machines. It provides the results of a study on the machinability of various steels and alloys with belt grinding, which are then classified according to an indicator that we have developed. Namely, cast aluminum alloys, structural alloy steels, structural carbon steels, corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant stainless steels, and heat-resistant nickel alloys have been investigated. The machinability index is the ratio of the performance indicators of the grinding belt and the depth of cut to the indicators of grade 45 structural carbon steels (similar to steel AISI 1045) and similar steels and alloys. The performance indicators of the grinding belt are chosen from a set of calculated and estimated indicators. Experimentally determining the dependences of the performance indicators on the belt grinding modes and conditions, taking into account the established levels of machinability, allowed us to develop recommendations for designing belt grinding operations with grinding and lapping machines. The proposed methodology for designing belt grinding operations guarantees optimal performance and ensures that the necessary quality of the machinable surfaces is achieved. At the same time, it takes into account variable machining conditions, which change within specified limits.