Int. J. Precision Technology, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2012
Experimental study and empirical modelling of
magnetic abrasive finishing on ferromagnetic and
non-ferromagnetic materials
V.K. Jain*, Vinod Kumar and M. Ravi Sankar
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology,
Kanpur, 208016, India
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
*Corresponding author
Abstract: Magnetic abrasive finishing is one of the advanced finishing
processes where in the iron (Fe) particles form a flexible matrix in which the
abrasives are trapped when magnetic field is applied. In the present paper,
the magnetic flux densities (MFD) are measured at various distances from
the outer surface to centre on ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic
materials with approximately same hardness. MFD is about three times higher
on ferromagnetic compared to non-ferromagnetic workpiece. Complete
experimental study is carried out and empirically modelled. Best final Ra value
about 20 nm and 60 nm is achieved on ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic
stainless steel, respectively. With increase in abrasive mesh size and decrease
in working gap, percentage change in Ra (%ΔRa) increases. Online
measurement of forces is done using indigenously developed ring type
dynamometer. Normal magnetic force is much higher in case of ferromagnetic
than non-ferromagnetic workpiece material but no significant change is found
in tangential cutting force.
Keywords: magnetic abrasive finishing; MAF; surface roughness; stainless
steel; finishing forces; flexible magnetic brush.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Jain, V.K., Kumar, V. and
Ravi Sankar, M. (2012) ‘Experimental study and empirical modelling of
magnetic abrasive finishing on ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic
materials’, Int. J. Precision Technology, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp.91–104.
Biographical notes: V.K. Jain is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering
Department of IIT Kanpur. He received his PhD and MTech from University
of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), India. His areas of research interest are
unconventional machining processes, accelerated cutting, CAPP, CAM, and
machining of advanced engineering materials.
Vinod Kumar is currently working with Accenture as a team leader. Before
joining Accenture, he obtained his Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from
Government Engineering College, Kota, Rajasthan, and MTech in the field of
manufacturing science from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
M. Ravi Sankar is currently a PhD student in Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur. Before doing his
PhD, he obtained his Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (with honours) from
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