Experimental investigation of abrasive electrodischarge grinding of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy

Purpose: This work is focused on determination of effects of grinding conditions on effectiveness of abrasive electrodischarge grinding (AEDG) process applied for removal of machining allowance and forming of surface geometrical texture (SGT). These results were compared with one obtained for conventional grinding.Design/methodology/approach: The experimental investigations of deep-seated surface grinding of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy using CBN grinding wheel with metal bond were the ground for this elaboration. The effectiveness of AEDG process was assessed based on specific tangential grinding force and energy of spark electric discharge and machining results were estimated on geometrical structure parameters.Findings: The effectiveness of machining allowance removal depended on conditions of AEDG process. Significant differences in SGT formed by AEDG process and conventional grinding were revealed.Practical implications: Abrasive electrodischarge grinding is useful to be particularly suitable for efficient and effective grinding of very hard structural materials such as high-alloy steel, sintered carbides, metal-based composite materials etc.Originality/value: AEDG experiments were carried out using the typical surface finishing grinder and especially adapted generator of spark discharge pulses. The majority of such experiments in the world were performed with the electrodischarge machine tool equipped with extra grinding wheel mounted on the grinding pin and functioning as one of the electrodes put into operation via pneumatic drive.