Surface roughness and material removal in fluid jet polishing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Manufacturing Technology
• Surface Metrology

Background:

• Fluid Jet Polishing (FJP) is an advanced technique for achieving high-quality surfaces.
• Understanding the relationship between process parameters and material removal is crucial for optimizing FJP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of workpiece material properties and process parameters on material removal and surface roughness in FJP.
• To determine the key factors governing surface quality and material removal efficiency in FJP.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation of fluid jet polishing on glass workpieces.
• Systematic variation of abrasive particle characteristics, workpiece properties (Young's modulus E, Knoop hardness Hk), working pressure, and incidence angle.
• Analysis of material removal rates and surface roughness measurements.

Main Results:

• Material removal rate is proportional to the square root of Young's modulus (E) and inversely proportional to the square of Knoop hardness (Hk).
• Surface roughness is also governed by the elastic stiffness (E) and plastic parameter (Hk) of the workpiece material.
• Material removal shows a linear dependence on working pressure and is influenced by the incidence angle.
• Achieved optical-quality surfaces using Cerox 1650 abrasive particles, meeting modern optical manufacturing standards.

Conclusions:

• Workpiece material properties (E and Hk) significantly dictate material removal and surface roughness in FJP.
• Process parameters, including working pressure and incidence angle, can be optimized for efficient material removal and desired surface finish.
• FJP is a viable technology for producing optical-quality surfaces required in advanced manufacturing.