The principle and characteristics of electrolytic grinding

       Electrolytic grinding is a processing method to remove the metal surface layer by using the electrochemical action (electrolysis) of the electrolyte on the metal to be processed and the mechanical grinding action of the conductive grinding wheel on the machined surface.



    The electrochemical action is generated because the workpiece is connected to the anode of the power supply during electrolytic grinding, the conductive grinding wheel is connected to the cathode, and the abrasive protrudes from the conductor of the grinding wheel. When the electrolyte is input into the extremely small gap between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, the electrolyte is ionized, the metal on the surface of the workpiece is ionized, and anode dissolution occurs, and the dissolved metal forms compounds in the electrolyte and is carried away by the electrolyte. At the same time, a passivation film is produced on the surface of the anode, so that the electrolysis can be carried out again. Therefore, with the alternating action of electrochemical action and mechanical grinding, the surface of the part can achieve dimensional accuracy and surface roughness. In the process of processing, the abrasive plays a role of scraping on the one hand, and on the other hand, it maintains the gap required for electrochemical dissolution. The workpiece and the grinding wheel are not in rigid contact, but maintain a certain pressure. The grinding wheel can be fed longitudinally to maintain the gap and pressure through which the flowing electrolyte passes. ,

    Features of Electrolytic Grinding

    1) High productivity

    Electrolytic grinding can increase the grinding amount, especially the radial grinding amount (grinding depth), which can be much larger than general grinding. Statistical comparison is made according to the working hours of a single piece, and the productivity is 3 to 5 times higher than that of general grinding.

    2) Good processing quality

    During electrolytic grinding, the grinding wheel mainly removes the oxide film on the surface of the coating. Therefore, it can reduce the thermal stress, residual stress and deformation on the surface of the spray coating caused by grinding heat and grinding force, and the machined surface is not prone to cracks and burns, and the dimensional accuracy and surface roughness can reach IT7 grade and Ra1.25 or more respectively. The spray coating parts are processed by electrolytic grinding, and the quality and effect are proved to be good after the use assessment.

    3) The grinding wheel wear is small and the economy is good

     The electrolytic grinding wheel is mainly used to remove the oxide film. According to the measurement, it grinds the high-hardness thermal spray material layer and the copper-based diamond conductive grinding wheel.

    4) Strong adaptability and wide processing range

      Electrolytic grinding can process various conductive thermal spray material layers, and it is also easy to achieve grinding of various surfaces (such as gear surfaces, etc.).

      In short, electrolytic grinding is a processing method with high productivity, good processing quality and good economy, and it is a promising new processing method for processing thermal spray material layers.