Abstract

When grinding a brittle material, there is a fundamental difference between material removal in brittle-mode grinding and removal in shear-mode (or ductile) grinding. Brittle removal occurs by propagating cracks and usually accompanies large depths of cut with large grit and high grinding forces. It results in a surface with significant roughness and deep subsurface damage. In contrast, ductile removal occurs by plastic deformation of the material and is promoted by shallow depths of cut with small grit and low cutting forces, and leaves a specular surface and shallow subsurface damage.

© 1992 Optical Society of America