A Review of Wear Mechanisms and Solutions Regarding Inserts for Grinding Applications

Cork has been one of the main pillars of the Portuguese economy for some decades and is today one of the most important natural materials exported from Portugal to the world. Nowadays, cork composites are used in products as diverse as sports flooring, wall memos, ladies’ bags and shoes. However, these composites need to be processed and one of the first steps to produce cork granules is their grinding process. Although cork has a relatively low mechanical resistance and hardness, the degree of abrasion generated by cork on grinding pads during the grinding process is considerable. This study aims to determine which type of wear mechanisms are strongly associated with the premature end of life of grinding pads, which occurs due to reduced cutting efficiency and the generation of cork granules outside the specifications. This study will allow to understand the best ways to extend the useful life of tools and improving the cost/benefit ratio. The results obtained led to an understanding of the phenomena induced in the inserts and generated promising alternative solutions using special materials and coatings, allowing to improve the behaviour of the inserts against wear, making this operation more efficient and profitable.