Effect of Process Variables in Abrasive Flow Machining

When an abrasive mixed with a polymer of special rheological properties and forced through a restricting medium, the abrasive and polymer will act as a self forming tool that precisely removes work piece material and improve the surface finish at those areas restricting to the medium flow. It is capable of machining areas which are difficult to reach by conventional machining and can be used to machine and improve surface finish of internal parts of intrigue shapes. The work piece hardness, abrasive size, abrasivehardnes, Extrusion pressure and properties of carrier are the important process parameters that affects the performance of AFM. The objective of the present paper is to study the effects of process variables on surface finish and material removal. Keywords— Abrasive flow machining, Material removal, Silly Putty, soft materials, Surface finish.