Grinding of ceramic-steel-compounds

Because of their excellent wear resistance, Si3N4 ceramics are used as reinforcements of highly stressed parts. In precision forging dies, ceramic-steel-compounds withstand the high temperatures and mechanical loads and offer a manifold tool life quantity. Because of the ceramic’s material properties and the demanded precision, ceramic-steel-compounds need to be ground. Therein grinding wheel wear increases and geometrical steps form at the material transition. To develop a suited machining technique, grinding wheel wear phenomena and the step formation process are investigated. Based on this, an adaptive feed speed control depending on a developed in-process material identification is installed. Applying the acquired approaches allows manufacturing of step free ceramic-steel-compounds. Herewith is proven, a machining technology for high-quality ceramic-steel-compounds, as they are used in precision forging dies, is available.