Influence of tool and workpiece interface temperature rise on the life of ice bonded abrasive polishing tool

Ice bonded abrasive polishing (IBAP) is a novel polishing method that employs a frozen slurry of water and abrasives as a polishing tool. This process is capable of producing ultra-fine finish on metallic as well as on non-metallic (ceramic) surfaces. The enhancement of productivity and efficiency of the process depends on the characteristics of the IBAP tool. During polishing, the IBAP tool melts due to frictional heat generated at the tool and workpiece interface. The melting rate influences the tool life and is one of the crucial aspects of the IBAP tool design. The present study aims to develop an analytical model to predict the melting rate of the tool as a function of abrasive properties, applied pressure, the relative velocity between the tool, and the workpiece surface. This model considered Jaeger's moving heat source method (1942) to determine the rise in temperature of tool and workpiece interface at steady-state and Blok's postulation (1963) to determine the fraction of heat conducted into the tool. The estimated melting rate of the IBAP tool is compared with the experimental data obtained from the reduction in the height of the IBAP tool at the polishing zone.