Rheological properties of magnetic field-assisted thickening fluid and high-efficiency spherical polishing of ZrO2 ceramics

Shear thickening polishing technology using non-Newtonian fluids is a low-cost, low-damage method for the ultra-precision machining of complex curved surfaces. However, low efficiency and poorly controlled viscosity traditional shear significantly limit their practical applications. In this study, novel weak magnetic field-assisted fluid (WMFA-STPF) containing carbonyl iron particles, which utilized magnetorheological effect to promote process, was developed, its rheological characteristics were investigated. The obtained results revealed that WMFA-STPF exhibited good fluidity at rates enhanced in working rate range. To verify high efficiency, quality, uniform ability WMFA-STP applied spherical surface zirconia ceramic workpiece, contrast experiments performed. After 75 min polishing, damage effectively mitigated; quality uniformity improved; material removal increased by 156% up 7.82 μm/h. Hence, can be successfully high-efficiency high-quality hard brittle ceramics.