Identification of Tribological Phenomena in Glass Grinding by Acoustic Emission Sensing

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify tribological phenomena that occur on a machined surface under grinding, using acoustic emission (AE) sensing. The study investigated features exhibited by AE signals due to a change of state of the machined surface during the finish grinding of glass materials. An AE sensor was attached to a glass test piece, and the AE signals generated by using a grinding wheel rotating at high speed were measured. It was found that differences in the grain size of the grinding wheel and the hardness of the test piece changed the amplitude of the AE signal, and that there was a correlation between the amount removed by grinding and the AE mean value. In addition, a frequency analysis of the AE signal waveforms revealed that the AE frequency components generated during friction and during grinding differ. It was also found that a change in grinding ability of the grinding wheel, due to it wearing flat or to abrasive grains falling away, can be established from the change in AE mean value and the peak position in the AE frequency spectrum.