Determination and control of grinding zone temperature under cryogenic cooling

Grinding processes, though employed widely as a finishing process, have their own share of problems, like high grinding zone temperature which may lead to thermal damage to the work surface, like induction of tensile residual stresses, development of microcracks, enhanced risks of wheel loading and excessive wheel wear. Grinding fluids are applied in different forms to control such high temperature, but they are partially effective within a narrow working range; recent studies also indicate their polluting nature. cryogenic cooling, if employed properly, could control the grinding zone temperature more effectively by intensive removal of heat from the grinding zone. The present study deals with the effect of cryogenic cooling on grinding zone temperature for five commonly used steels both experimentally and computationally. Results indicate that the effectiveness of cryogenic cooling is substantial throughout the experimental domain.