The effect of atmospheric gases on the fundamental mechanisms in grinding

Atmospheric gases are an ubiquitous part of earth-bound machining processes including grinding. However, there are only a few publications from the 1960’s on the role of these gases, invariably demonstrating pronounced effects when grinding is undertaken in a vacuum or inert gas. The objective of the present research is to address the many open questions given changes in knowledge and technologies in the intervening years. The reported results confirm the findings of higher traction forces, power levels and heating of the surface accordingly. Based on a developed micro-kinematical model, an alternative theory is propounded on the fundamental causal mechanisms.