Material Removal Mechanisms in Abrasive Flow Machining

Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a process for the production of excellent surface qualities of inner profiles that are difficult to access and outside edges, as well as for deburring and edge rounding. The grinding medium used in AFM consists of a polymer fluid, the so-called base, in which the abrasive grains are bound. The grinding medium is pressed along the contours at a defined pressure and temperature. Depending on the respective machining task, different specifications of media are used. The description of process-related metrial removal mechanisms requires the knowledge of material removal mechanisms in AFM. Based on findings in flow mechanism, analyses have been made on material removal mechanisms. The objective of the investigations at the Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management IWF in Berlin is to trace correlations capable of influencing the work result.