1. Introduction
Tungsten carbide (WC) and SiC are hard and brittle materials. The material of the hardness is over HRC 70. [
1] WC has been widely used in manufacturing for various applications, including molds and dyes, cutting tools, wear-resistant components, and coatings. WC often faces problems with the grinding wheel’s wear and brittleness and the roughness of the surface of the workpiece during the grinding process because of its material behavior. As a result, this material behavior makes the grinding process difficult [
2,
3,
4,
5,
6]. Thus, developing a novel method to improve its efficiency and reduce the product’s surface roughness is an excellent contribution to scientific research.
In recent years, many researchers have demonstrated various methods for high-speed grinding that can deal with hard and brittle materials to improve efficiency [
7,
8]. Li P. et al. [
3] investigated methods to achieve high-efficiency and high-quality grinding technology in the precision chip process of brittle glass–ceramic material. Their findings revealed that using multi-step high-speed grinding technology helps achieve high-efficiency and high-quality grinding for glass ceramics. Yang L. et al. [
9] noted that high-speed grinding exceeds the peripheral speed of the grinding wheel by 80 m/s. The precision and surface integrity of the workpiece with more difficult-to-process materials can be improved during high-speed grinding [
10]. The surface and sub-surface of the workpiece are capable of manufacturing molds for optical elements with great form precision. Gu K. K. et al. [
11] claimed that increasing the grinding speed can improve the removal rate, and a smooth surface can be obtained. Ren Y. H. et al. [
12] presented the ultra-high-speed grinding technology and asserted that it could reduce the temperature of the grinding point during the grinding process. Overall, all the studies stated that high-speed grinding has a good performance on the surface roughness of the workpiece. Notably, the hub’s grinding wheel material selection remains related to the geometric accuracy, stiffness, thermal deformation, motion stability, and vibration resistance.
Traditionally, the hub’s grinding wheel is made of steel material. However, a steel grinding wheel is only suitable for peripheral speeds below 60 m/s. It produces deflection when the peripheral speed of the diamond wheel exceeds 60 m/s due to the steel grinding wheel’s gravity, rotational centrifugal force, and thermal expansion. These factors reduce the accuracy of hard and brittle materials and speed up the grinding wheel wear [
13]. In addition, the processing machine generates wear, heat, and power consumption, which shortens the life of the spindle due to centrifugal force and gravity. Overall, the grinding wheel of the steel hub can only be used in low-speed grinding applications. On the other hand, some studies changed the material of the hub to carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and compared its advantages and disadvantages on the grinding performance. Kumekawa N. et al. [
14] presented CFRP, which has lighter characteristics, higher strength, and a lower thermal expansion coefficient compared to steel. Tawakoli T. et al. [
15] argued that damping affects the vibration and chip thickness of the workpiece within the grinding wheel and during the grinding process. The CFRP hub can produce a high damping capability to stabilize the vibration during high-speed grinding. Yang L. et al. [
13] performed a finite element analysis to analyze the stress, strain, damping characteristics, and thermal performance. The results indicated that the CFRP hub has uniform stress and deformation distribution when the CFRP material weaves and laminates at 0°, 45°, and 90° angles, implying that the CFRP hub has better dynamic characteristics. Li W. et al. [
16] explained that the main causes of residual stress on the workpiece surface are mechanical deformation, thermal expansion and contraction, and material phase change. Thus, Kizaki T. et al. [
17] examined the hub of the grinding wheel by combining a novel hub with steel and a CFRP substrate to perform high-speed grinding. The results revealed that the inertia reduced by 61.4% more than a conventional grinding wheel with a steel hub when the CFRP hub of the grinding wheel rotated at a high peripheral speed. Thermal expansion is also reduced by 59% due to centrifugal force. In addition, the hub that combines the steel and CFRP substrate has a different thermal expansion coefficient. Therefore, it can lead to the distortion of the grinding wheel under high-speed grinding, possibly resulting in unstable oscillation during high-speed grinding. It is essential to define the usage scenarios of the CFRP hub grinding wheel to effectively reduce the generation of negative benefits, such as heat and vibration effects.
This research aims to compare the performance of the steel and the CFRP hub grinding wheels to define the latter’s usage scenarios. The performance evaluation was constructed with a knock-test method for the vibration effect and the process verification under different peripheral speeds (at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 m/s) for surface roughness performance and grinding wheel life evaluation. In addition, this study aims to develop a carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP) hub for high-speed grinding. This new hub is expected to be lighter and less deformable under high-speed rotation and thus able to obtain a higher material removal rate, smoother workpiece surface, and longer tool life. This novel innovation can help the CFRP hub grinding wheel application in manufacturing and reduce the grinding challenge in tungsten carbide.
The key highlight of this study is the comprehensive comparison between the steel and the CFRP hub grinding wheels to determine the most suitable applications for the CFRP hub. First, the study employs a knock-test method to assess the vibration impact and conducts process verification at various peripheral speeds (ranging from 20 to 100 m/s). This evaluation encompasses surface roughness performance and grinding wheel longevity, providing valuable insights into how the two hub materials perform under different conditions. Secondly, this research aims to introduce an innovative carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP) hub designed specifically for high-speed grinding applications. This new hub is engineered to be lightweight and less prone to deformation during high-speed rotation. The expected outcomes of this innovation are threefold: a higher material removal rate, smoother workpiece surfaces, and an extended tool life. Moreover, the study carries significant implications for the manufacturing industry by offering a solution that enhances grinding wheel performance in high-speed applications, particularly when dealing with challenging materials like tungsten carbide. The CFRP hub grinding wheel’s potential to address these challenges can improve the manufacturing efficiency and product quality. In summary, this study’s core contribution lies in exploring the CFRP hub’s suitability for high-speed grinding, its innovative hub design, and its potential to provide practical solutions to manufacturing challenges, particularly in tungsten carbide processing.
4. Discussion
The material removal process involving a grinding wheel encompasses distinct stages: rubbing, plowing, and cutting. Each stage is pivotal in shaping the intricate interplay between abrasive grains and the workpiece surface [
17]. The initial rubbing phase introduces abrasive grains to the workpiece surface, initiating the abrasion process that gradually removes material through contact. This contact simultaneously triggers elastic deformation and generates heat through friction within the system. Significantly, the resultant effects induce vibrational patterns in the grinding wheel, highlighting the dynamic nature of the process. As the grinding wheel’s vibrations amplify the effects of elastic deformation and heat generation, abrasive grains embedded in the workpiece material give rise to plastic deformation. Consequently, the workpiece surface experiences a subtle transformation characterized by the emergence of subsurface stresses and the chipping of abrasive grains into the material matrix. This embedding phenomenon triggers the migration of workpiece material, compelling it to shift toward the front and sides of the abrasive grains, culminating in the formation of distinctive grooves—a phenomenon termed ‘the plowing stage’. This phase accentuates the critical role of abrasive grains in inducing plastic deformation and redistributing material. However, the plowing stage introduces challenges, primarily centered around the extrusion of abrasive grains against the workpiece, which leads to heightened friction and intensified heat generation. In addition, elevated temperatures become a focal concern during this phase, potentially affecting both the grinding process’ efficiency and the workpiece’s quality. Reducing the vibration during the grinding process can effectively reduce the impact of heat. Therefore, reducing the quality of the grinding wheel and the vibration during the machining process can reduce the surface roughness. If the abrasive grains persist in interacting with the workpiece, the conditions conducive to shear and slip will eventually emerge, resulting in the commencement of the cutting stage. In this phase, shear forces and slip motions intertwine, facilitating the formation of chips in the workpiece material. The formation of these chips represents a fundamental component of the grinding process, directly influencing the extent of material removal and the resultant surface finish quality. Throughout the grinding operation, the presence of grooves or swells significantly affects the ultimate roughness of the ground surface, considerably affecting the final product. The issue of vibration during the grinding process emerges as a pivotal consideration in optimizing ground surface quality. Effectively addressing and minimizing vibration tendencies can substantially reduce the roughness values on the finished surface, ultimately enhancing the precision and overall quality of the grinding operation.
Based on the oscillation results, when an external force displaces the grinding wheel from its equilibrium position, it induces free vibrations. These vibrations vary depending on the material properties of the hammers striking the diamond wheel, resulting in different external forces and corresponding frequencies. As the material properties of the hammer become stiffer, the external force increases.
Figure 5 illustrates a noteworthy finding: the CFRP hub, upon being displaced, returns to its equilibrium position roughly 50% faster than the steel hub. However, it is important to note that the maximum vibration amplitude of the CFRP hub reaches 0.2 um, which is greater than the 0.15 um observed for the steel hub under high vibration frequencies, specifically at 5500 Hz, where the external force is substantial. The reduction in the vibration amplitude of the CFRP hub during free vibrations can be attributed to its superior damping ability compared to that of steel. Notably, the CFRP hub comprises two distinct materials—carbon fiber fabrics and a resin matrix, arranged in a layered structure. These structural differences set the CFRP hub apart from a single-material hub like the steel hub and allow it to absorb vibrations effectively. This outcome can be attributed to the CFRP hub’s lower density and elastic modulus, which render it lighter and more conducive to shorter oscillation times. Furthermore, the CFRP hub demonstrates enhanced damping properties, effectively mitigating resonance frequencies and reducing oscillation times during grinding. This observation aligns with the findings of Yang L. et al. [
13], reaffirming the significance of hub material properties in shaping grinding dynamics. A critical aspect emphasized by the study is the influence of the hub material on the grinding process’ longevity and operational stability. The substantial disparity in material density between the steel and CFRP hubs results in distinct thermal fatigue and wear behaviors. Specifically, the higher density of the steel hub can exacerbate thermal fatigue damage in the spindle or wear in the grinding machine’s bearing. The subsequent reduction in spindle life has direct implications for power efficiency. Introducing a CFRP hub addresses this challenge by stabilizing the grinding process swiftly and introducing smaller amplitudes in high-speed grinding.
Figure 6 displays the measured ground surface roughness, revealing an intriguing comparison between the two materials’ hubs. The transition from a peripheral speed of 20 to 100 m/s is associated with a notable improvement in surface smoothness. Specifically, when the steel hub of the grinding wheel grinds at a peripheral speed of 20 m/s, the Rz/Ra ratio stands at 10.8 in the workpiece surface roughness. Simultaneously, the CFRP hub of the grinding wheel, under the same peripheral speed of 20 m/s, records a ratio of 10.2. These values are remarkably similar. However, when the peripheral speed of the steel hub grinding wheel escalates to 100 m/s during the grinding of the WC workpiece, the Rz/Ra ratio surges to 15.03. Conversely, after the CFRP hub of the grinding wheel processes the WC workpiece, the Rz/Ra ratio only reaches 11.29, as indicated in
Table 2.
These outcomes suggest that changes influence the grinding wheel with a CFRP hub in peripheral speed less. In other words, the CFRP hub is better suited for high-speed grinding wheel configurations. Furthermore, the results highlight that the performance of the CFRP grinding wheel exhibits an optimal boundary under usage conditions, typically at a peripheral speed of around 60 m/s. At this speed, the Rz/Ra ratio in the CFRP hub is approximately 4.1, notably smaller than ratios at other speeds. This implies that the CFRP hub performs most effectively at a peripheral speed of roughly 60 m/s, which is the same as the critical speed of high-speed grinding. In contrast, the performance of the steel hub diminishes as peripheral speed increases. In summary, these observations underscore the suitability of the WC material for high-speed machining due to its hardness and brittleness. This finding elucidates how the CFRP hub of the diamond wheel excels in stabilizing the grinding process, mainly when dealing with tough and brittle WC material.
It is intriguing that despite working under identical grinding conditions, the grinding wheel with a CFRP hub consistently delivers a finer surface roughness. However, this phenomenon remains inadequately explained when considering factors like the grinding wheel’s weight, the material properties of the hub, and the abrasive characteristics alone. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, a visual examination of the surfaces generated by both material hubs was conducted using Zygo NewView8000.
Figure 7 and
Figure 8 clearly depict the striking differences between the surfaces created by these two distinct material hubs, especially when subjected to varying peripheral speeds. The surfaces produced by the CFRP hub exhibit minimal height variations, resulting in a smaller Rz value than those generated by the steel hub. This visual evidence underscores the pivotal role of the hub material in shaping surface quality. It underscores the unique advantages of the CFRP hub in achieving superior surface finishes across a range of grinding conditions. Furthermore, it is worth noting that there are more pronounced changes in surface elevation when the steel hub is used at high peripheral speeds of the grinding wheel. These heightened changes can be attributed to the high-frequency vibrations generated within the grinding wheel, particularly when equipped with the steel hub material. These vibrations contribute to a more brittle material removal process, further underscoring the hub material’s importance in influencing the grinding outcome.
5. Conclusions and Future Work
In conclusion, the study elucidates the capacity of a CFRP diamond wheel hub to counteract vibration frequencies and enhance surface fineness in WC workpiece materials compared to a steel hub. This performance enhancement is attributed to the CFRP hub’s unique material properties, encompassing a lower density, a higher rigidity, a lower thermal expansion coefficient, and superior damping when juxtaposed with the steel grinding wheel hub. The implications are profound, with potential applications in high-speed grinding to bolster both efficiency and surface quality for WC material. Future research avenues are suggested, including using materials with enhanced hardness and brittleness to validate the CFRP hub’s reliability when grinding challenging materials. The ultimate goal is to input experimental parameters into a comprehensive database systematically, optimizing machining databases for notoriously hard, brittle, and challenging-to-cut materials, thus furnishing the grinding industry with valuable references. Thermal generation and cooling efficiency can also be investigated further to refine high-speed grinding technologies. Moreover, this study underscores the multidimensional nature of the grinding process, combining material science, engineering dynamics, and operational considerations to yield precision and efficiency enhancements.