Influence of the Geometrical Features of the Cutting Edges of Abrasive Grains on the Removal Efficiency of the Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy

The shape of the cutting blades of the abrasive grains has an influence on the material separation process in the machining zone. The paper analyzes the influence of the geometrical parameters of the abrasive grains (rake angle gamma, apex angle epsilon, opening angle alpha), as well as width b(z) and length b(b) of the cutting zone on the material removal efficiency. The material removal efficiency was determined taking into account the volume of the removed material V-G and the volume of lateral piles-up V-R. The analyses were carried out on the basis of the results of experimental and simulations using the finite element method. The relationship between the selected geometric parameters characterizing the cutting zone and the coefficient characterizing the efficiency of the material removal process was determined. A strong influence of the opening angle alpha as well as the width b(z) and length b(b) of the cutting zone on the material removal process by abrasive grain was demonstrated. It was observed that the wide cutting edge, and thus the large opening angle alpha of the grain, reduced the size of the pile-ups and more effectively removed the chip material.