Preferential Media for Abrasive Flow Machining

Abstract

The abrasive flow machining (AFM) is used to deburr, radius, polish and remove recast layer of components in a wide range of applications. Material is removed from the workpiece by a flowing semisolid mass across the surface to be finished. In this study a medium for AFM has been developed from the various viscoelastic carriers and has been contrasted through experimental investigation. The viscoelastic media are selected on the basis of existing media through the studies of thermogravimetric analysis and are characterized by mechanical, as well as rheological, properties with the help of a universal testing machine and a rheometer. The performance of the medium is evaluated through the finishing criteria on a two-way AFM setup. The investigation reveals that the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) medium gives a good improvement in surface finish. The surface improvement through SBR media is 88%. It is also found that the strain, temperature, shear rate, time of applied constant stress, cyclic loading, etc. have an impact on the mechanical and rheological properties of the newly developed medium, which are ultimately governed by the performance of the medium in the target applications.