Polishing of Copper Alloy Using Double Disk Ultrasonic Assisted Magnetic Abrasive Polishing

Abstract

The magnetic abrasive polishing process is mainly used for polishing ferrous materials. Polishing of non ferrous materials is considered ineffective due to the low value of permeability constant as compared to that of ferrous materials. This experimental study aims at developing a novel setup to machine non ferrous materials efficiently. Experiments have been planned based on Taguchi orthogonal array. The workpiece was first polished using the magnetic field-assisted polishing method and then by providing ultrasonic vibration to magnetic field assisted polishing. In the experiments, effect of voltage to the electromagnet, rotational speed, mesh size, and pulse on time of ultrasonic vibration on surface roughness were studied. The results obtained through this experimentation were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Linear regression models for both the process were also developed. To study the changes that occurred on the surface prior to, and after, the polishing SEM and AFM photographs were obtained.