Progress Report

Second Semester of Session 2008-2009

Name : Vijayender Singh

Entry No : 2006MEZ8271 Status : Full Time

Ceramics are the widely used Engineering materials due to their better physical and
mechanical properties. Due to their improved physical and mechanical properties such as
high hardness they are difficult to machine materials. Because of their low toughness and
high brittleness they are having poor machinability. Also due to poor thermal conductivity,
they are prone to thermal shocks during the machining process. But with the advent of
ceramic matrix composites where these properties have been improved, it is possible to
enhance the machinability of the composite ceramics without compromising their
advantageous properties.
Present study has attempted to study the grindability aspects of the AlTiSi ( Ceramic
matrix composite comprising Al2O3 matrix, TiC, and SiC whiskers) composite ceramic (also
known as conductive ceramic due to enhanced thermal conductivity). It is found that
grindability improves with the use of cryogenic (liquid nitrogen) coolants. Due to improved
thermal conductivity and better toughness, it is possible to making use of cryogenic coolants
for grinding of the conductive ceramics. The cryogenic coolants are also environmental
friendly.
Specific ploughing energy which is one of the substantial components of total specific
grinding energy is modeled in terms of important grinding process parameters such as
grinding wheel speed, table speed, grain size and depth of cut. Single grit scratch tests were
conducted to model the specific ploughing energy and some of the scratch geometrical
parameters in terms of process parameters.
Two papers have been communicated related to the above mentioned research work.

Prof. P.V. Rao Dr. S. Ghosh

(Supervisor)
(Supervisor)