Metal-bonded diamond grinding wheels for ceramic and glass grinding

Metal-bonded diamond grinding wheels for ceramic and glass grinding

Metal-bonded diamond grinding wheels are superhard grinding tools that utilize a metal bond and diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasives; they are primarily used for the precision machining of hard, brittle materials—such as cemented carbide, ceramics, and glass—across sectors including aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and electronics.

Electroplating is a cost-effective manufacturing method for diamond grinding wheels, particularly those used for high-precision roll grinding [7]. The electroplating process is straightforward and yields finished products quickly; the wheels require no dressing and are convenient to use. Their single-layer structure enables high operating speeds and ensures high machining precision [5]. However, electroplated grinding wheels have drawbacks: the bond between the coating metal, the substrate, and the abrasive is not a strong chemical-metallurgical bond; instead, the abrasive is essentially held in place by mechanical entrapment within the coating metal. Consequently, the retention force is weak, making diamond particles prone to detachment during heavy-load, high-efficiency grinding. Increasing the coating thickness to enhance retention force reduces the abrasive protrusion height and chip clearance space, leading to wheel clogging and poor heat dissipation.