Doctor of Philosophy / This research aimed to develop new cooling methods to replace, or at least minimise, the use of currently used grinding coolants which are known to be harmful to the environment. The methods used involved the application of a cold air and vegetable oil mist mixture (CAOM), and the use of liquid nitrogen as cooling media. Allied research focused on the development of a segmented grinding wheel equipped with a coolant chamber. The feasibility of a grinding system using CAOM was assessed on the surface grinding of plain carbon steel 1045. It was found that at low material removal rates, ground surfaces were obtained with a quality comparable to that from grinding with a conventional coolant in association with a reduction of grinding forces. There was no significant difference in the subsurface hardness of the components using CAOM, although the latter method showed a stronger dependence of surface residual stresses on the depth of cut due to the limit in cooling capacity of CAOM. The effects of using liquid nitrogen as a cooling medium on the microstructure of quenchable steel were explored. It was found that a martensite layer was induced on the ground surface. The microstructure featured a dispersion of very fine carbides within the martensite lattice, resulting in a remarkable increase in hardness and high compressive residual stresses within the layer. The topography of the ground surfaces indicated that the material was predominantly removed by brittle fracture. Furthermore surface oxidisation was suppressed. In the interest of coolant minimisation, a segmented wheel equipped with a pressurized coolant chamber was developed. A higher quality ground surface was obtained in conjunction with a coolant saving of up to 70%. In addition, the adhesion of ground chips on the wheel surface largely disappeared. Furthermore, surface tensile residual stresses caused by thermal deformation were minimised. The mechanism of coolant disintegration to form mists using this type of wheel system was studied. The Weber theory for Newtonian jet instability was applied to quantitatively determine the contribution of coolant flow rate to mist and ligament modes. A semi-analytical model was then developed to predict the mist flow rate by taking into account both grinding parameters and coolant properties. The model prediction was in agreement with experimental measurements. Based on the principles of fluid motion and the mechanisms of spin-off and splash, analytical models for both conventional and segmented wheels were established to provide a physical understanding of the mechanisms of coolant penetration into the grinding zone. Coolant minimisation was evident using the segmented wheel where the coolant pumping power into the grinding zone increased with wheel speed, but for the conventional wheel it decreased. A quantitative analysis was developed that accounted for the coolant properties and system design characteristics governing the penetration mechanism revealed by the theory established above. In conjunction with the mist formation analysis, the developed model offers a practical guideline for the optimal use of grinding coolants in achieving a balance between the demands of productivity and care for the environment.

Doctor of Philosophy / This research aimed to develop new cooling methods to replace, or at least minimise, the use of currently used grinding coolants which are known to be harmful to the environment. The methods used involved the application of a cold air and vegetable oil mist mixture (CAOM), and the use of liquid nitrogen as cooling media. Allied research focused on the development of a segmented grinding wheel equipped with a coolant chamber. The feasibility of a grinding system using CAOM was assessed on the surface grinding of plain carbon steel 1045. It was found that at low material removal rates, ground surfaces were obtained with a quality comparable to that from grinding with a conventional coolant in association with a reduction of grinding forces. There was no significant difference in the subsurface hardness of the components using CAOM, although the latter method showed a stronger dependence of surface residual stresses on the depth of cut due to the limit in cooling capacity of CAOM. The effects of using liquid nitrogen as a cooling medium on the microstructure of quenchable steel were explored. It was found that a martensite layer was induced on the ground surface. The microstructure featured a dispersion of very fine carbides within the martensite lattice, resulting in a remarkable increase in hardness and high compressive residual stresses within the layer. The topography of the ground surfaces indicated that the material was predominantly removed by brittle fracture. Furthermore surface oxidisation was suppressed. In the interest of coolant minimisation, a segmented wheel equipped with a pressurized coolant chamber was developed. A higher quality ground surface was obtained in conjunction with a coolant saving of up to 70%. In addition, the adhesion of ground chips on the wheel surface largely disappeared. Furthermore, surface tensile residual stresses caused by thermal deformation were minimised. The mechanism of coolant disintegration to form mists using this type of wheel system was studied. The Weber theory for Newtonian jet instability was applied to quantitatively determine the contribution of coolant flow rate to mist and ligament modes. A semi-analytical model was then developed to predict the mist flow rate by taking into account both grinding parameters and coolant properties. The model prediction was in agreement with experimental measurements. Based on the principles of fluid motion and the mechanisms of spin-off and splash, analytical models for both conventional and segmented wheels were established to provide a physical understanding of the mechanisms of coolant penetration into the grinding zone. Coolant minimisation was evident using the segmented wheel where the coolant pumping power into the grinding zone increased with wheel speed, but for the conventional wheel it decreased. A quantitative analysis was developed that accounted for the coolant properties and system design characteristics governing the penetration mechanism revealed by the theory established above. In conjunction with the mist formation analysis, the developed model offers a practical guideline for the optimal use of grinding coolants in achieving a balance between the demands of productivity and care for the environment.

O presente estudo aborda a fronteira da manufatura de ultraprecisão (UP) da zircônia tetragonal policristalina estabilizada com 3 mol% de ítria (3Y-TZP), realizado por meio da lapidorretificação Ud. A crescente demanda por produtos de cerâmicas avançadas com: elevado acabamento e integridade superficial; alta exatidão de forma; e menor custo de fabricação, tem fomentado pesquisas em diversas áreas da nanociência e nanotecnologia (N&N), visando sobrepujar as limitações ou agregando as principais vantagens dos tradicionais processos de retificação, lapidação e polimento. Em decorrência das excepcionais propriedades mecânicas, a cerâmica 3Y-TZP tem sido extensivamente aplicada na indústria. A 3Y-TZP, entretanto, pode apresentar a desestabilização da sua fase tetragonal em diferentes situações e condições, por exemplo, tendo início na própria manufatura, durante sua usinagem, podendo comprometer seu desempenho. Dessa forma, a 3Y-TZP pode ser considerada um material chave para avaliar e qualificar os processos abrasivos que visam padrão ouro de qualidade que, portanto, não devem suscitar a transformação martensítica. Em meio à pluralidade de processos, destaca-se a lapidorretificação Ud. A presente pesquisa estudou a manufatura UP de superfícies planas de zircônia TZ-3Y-E lapidorretificadas com rebolos de SiC de liga epóxi, almejando rugosidade nanométrica e integridade superficial sem danos microestruturais. Discos de TZ-3Y-E foram prensados isostaticamente a 200 MPa e sinterizados a 1400°C por 2 horas. Os discos foram caracterizados por meio de ensaios de: microdureza; perfilometria de contato e óptica; MEV-FEG; espectroscopia Raman; DRX; e microscopia confocal de epi-fluorescência. Os projetos mecânico e eletroeletrônico da Lapidorretificadora Fiocchi foram evoluídos na direção da retificação cerâmica UP. Os resultados demostraram que o projeto evolutivo da lapidorretificadora Fiocchi foi bem sucedido. A execução e controle das etapas de processamento cerâmico foram fundamentais para obter corpos cerâmicos densos e homogêneos, compatíveis com o acabamento aspirado. Os parâmetros de usinagem que se destacaram foram: profundidade de dressagem de 0,1 mm; pressão de lapidorretificação de 100 kPa; 100 rpm do rebolo e porta-peça; e emulsão (1:40) aplicada por MQF. A aspiração dos resíduos sobre o rebolo melhorou em 21,6% o acabamento, todavia a associação de abrasão dois (rebolo) e três corpos (abrasivos soltos) reduziu em 57,15% a rugosidade. O macroefeito foi visível nos rebolos de #800, #600 e #300 dressados com Ud = 1. A menor rugosidade, Ra = 60,63 nm, proveio do rebolo #300 dressado com Ud=5. O menor desvio de planeza, 0,308 μm, foi obtido com o rebolo de #800 e Ud = 3. O processo alcançou condições de plasticidade da zircônia que apontam para o predomínio dos mecanismos de remoção de microcorte e pulverização de material, sem ocorrência de microtrinca. Segundo ensaios de DRX e Espectroscopia Raman, a lapidorretificação Ud não provocou transformação martensítica. Todavia, o rebolo de #300 gerou alargamento assimétrico dos picos tetragonais nas proximidades de 2θ = 35° e 39° e a reversão das intensidades dos picos tetragonais a 40° e 41°. A reversão foi atribuída a mudança do domínio ferroelástico e a reorientação de planos cristalográficos em nível de cristalito. Os estudos sugerem que a usinagem introduziu tensão residual de compressão que pode ter estabilizado a fase romboédrica. Não há relato de processo capaz de alcançar acabamento nanométrico similar com mesmo tamanho e tipo de abrasivo. A lapidorretificação Ud pode substituir o engajamento da retificação, lapidação e polimento de cerâmica avançada. / The present study focuses on the border of ultra-precision (UP) manufacturing of 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP), carried out by Ud-lap grinding. The increasing demand for advanced ceramic products with: high surface finish and integrity; high form accuracy; and lower manufacturing cost, has encourage research in several areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N), to overcome the limitations or adding the main advantages of traditional grinding, lapping, and polishing processes. 3Y-TZP ceramics has been extensively applied by industry due to its exceptional mechanical properties. The 3Y-TZP, however, can present destabilization of its tetragonal phase in different situations and conditions. In the beginning of its manufacture, during its machining for instance, which may compromise its performance. Thus, the 3Y-TZP can be considered a key material to evaluate and qualify abrasive processes aiming gold standard quality that, therefore, should not raise the martensitic transformation. In the midst of plurality of processes, it is noteworthy the Ud-lap grinding. This research studied the UP manufacture of flat TZ-3Y-E zirconia surfaces lap ground with epoxy binder SiC grinding wheels, aiming to nanometer roughness and microstructural integrity without damage. Discs of TZ-3Y-E were isostatically pressed at 200 MPa and sintered at 1400 °C for 2 hours. The discs were characterized by tests of: microhardness; contact and optical profilometry; FEG-SEM; Raman spectroscopy; XRD; and confocal epi-fluorescence. Mechanical and electric-electronic designs of Fiocchi lap grinder were developed toward the UP ceramic grinding. Results showed that the developmental design of Fiocchi lap grinder was successful. The accomplishment and control of ceramic processing stages were essential for dense and homogenous ceramic bodies, compatible with the finish aspired. The machining parameters that stood out were: 0.1 mm depth of dressing; 100 kPa lap grinding pressure; 100 rpm grinding wheel and workpiece-holder; and emulsion applied by MQF. Suction of debris on the grinding wheel has improved finishing in 21.6%, however the combination of two-body abrasion (grinding wheel) and three-body abrasion (loose abrasives) decreased roughness in 57.15%. The macroeffect was visible on #800, #600, and #300 dressed with Ud = 1. The best finishing, Ra = 60.63 nm, came from #300 grinding wheel dressed with Ud = 5. The smallest flatness deviation, 0.308 μm, was obtained with the #800 grinding wheel and Ud = 3. The process has achieved zirconia plasticity conditions pointing towards predominance of microcutting and pulverization material removal mechanism without causing microcrack. According to XRD and Raman spectroscopy, the Ud-lap grinding caused no martensitic transformation. However, #300 grinding wheel has generated asymmetric broadening of the tetragonal peaks close to 2θ = 35° e 39° and reversal of the intensities of 40° and 41° tetragonal peaks. The reversal was attributed to ferroelastic switching and reorientation of crystallographic planes into crystallite level. Studies suggest that the machining has introduced compressive residual stress that may have stabilized rhombohedral phase. There is no report of an abrasive process capable of achieving similar nanometric finish with same grit size and type of abrasive. The Ud-lap grinding can replace the engagement of grinding, lapping, and polishing of advanced ceramics.

O presente estudo aborda a fronteira da manufatura de ultraprecisão (UP) da zircônia tetragonal policristalina estabilizada com 3 mol% de ítria (3Y-TZP), realizado por meio da lapidorretificação Ud. A crescente demanda por produtos de cerâmicas avançadas com: elevado acabamento e integridade superficial; alta exatidão de forma; e menor custo de fabricação, tem fomentado pesquisas em diversas áreas da nanociência e nanotecnologia (N&N), visando sobrepujar as limitações ou agregando as principais vantagens dos tradicionais processos de retificação, lapidação e polimento. Em decorrência das excepcionais propriedades mecânicas, a cerâmica 3Y-TZP tem sido extensivamente aplicada na indústria. A 3Y-TZP, entretanto, pode apresentar a desestabilização da sua fase tetragonal em diferentes situações e condições, por exemplo, tendo início na própria manufatura, durante sua usinagem, podendo comprometer seu desempenho. Dessa forma, a 3Y-TZP pode ser considerada um material chave para avaliar e qualificar os processos abrasivos que visam padrão ouro de qualidade que, portanto, não devem suscitar a transformação martensítica. Em meio à pluralidade de processos, destaca-se a lapidorretificação Ud. A presente pesquisa estudou a manufatura UP de superfícies planas de zircônia TZ-3Y-E lapidorretificadas com rebolos de SiC de liga epóxi, almejando rugosidade nanométrica e integridade superficial sem danos microestruturais. Discos de TZ-3Y-E foram prensados isostaticamente a 200 MPa e sinterizados a 1400°C por 2 horas. Os discos foram caracterizados por meio de ensaios de: microdureza; perfilometria de contato e óptica; MEV-FEG; espectroscopia Raman; DRX; e microscopia confocal de epi-fluorescência. Os projetos mecânico e eletroeletrônico da Lapidorretificadora Fiocchi foram evoluídos na direção da retificação cerâmica UP. Os resultados demostraram que o projeto evolutivo da lapidorretificadora Fiocchi foi bem sucedido. A execução e controle das etapas de processamento cerâmico foram fundamentais para obter corpos cerâmicos densos e homogêneos, compatíveis com o acabamento aspirado. Os parâmetros de usinagem que se destacaram foram: profundidade de dressagem de 0,1 mm; pressão de lapidorretificação de 100 kPa; 100 rpm do rebolo e porta-peça; e emulsão (1:40) aplicada por MQF. A aspiração dos resíduos sobre o rebolo melhorou em 21,6% o acabamento, todavia a associação de abrasão dois (rebolo) e três corpos (abrasivos soltos) reduziu em 57,15% a rugosidade. O macroefeito foi visível nos rebolos de #800, #600 e #300 dressados com Ud = 1. A menor rugosidade, Ra = 60,63 nm, proveio do rebolo #300 dressado com Ud=5. O menor desvio de planeza, 0,308 μm, foi obtido com o rebolo de #800 e Ud = 3. O processo alcançou condições de plasticidade da zircônia que apontam para o predomínio dos mecanismos de remoção de microcorte e pulverização de material, sem ocorrência de microtrinca. Segundo ensaios de DRX e Espectroscopia Raman, a lapidorretificação Ud não provocou transformação martensítica. Todavia, o rebolo de #300 gerou alargamento assimétrico dos picos tetragonais nas proximidades de 2θ = 35° e 39° e a reversão das intensidades dos picos tetragonais a 40° e 41°. A reversão foi atribuída a mudança do domínio ferroelástico e a reorientação de planos cristalográficos em nível de cristalito. Os estudos sugerem que a usinagem introduziu tensão residual de compressão que pode ter estabilizado a fase romboédrica. Não há relato de processo capaz de alcançar acabamento nanométrico similar com mesmo tamanho e tipo de abrasivo. A lapidorretificação Ud pode substituir o engajamento da retificação, lapidação e polimento de cerâmica avançada. / The present study focuses on the border of ultra-precision (UP) manufacturing of 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP), carried out by Ud-lap grinding. The increasing demand for advanced ceramic products with: high surface finish and integrity; high form accuracy; and lower manufacturing cost, has encourage research in several areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N), to overcome the limitations or adding the main advantages of traditional grinding, lapping, and polishing processes. 3Y-TZP ceramics has been extensively applied by industry due to its exceptional mechanical properties. The 3Y-TZP, however, can present destabilization of its tetragonal phase in different situations and conditions. In the beginning of its manufacture, during its machining for instance, which may compromise its performance. Thus, the 3Y-TZP can be considered a key material to evaluate and qualify abrasive processes aiming gold standard quality that, therefore, should not raise the martensitic transformation. In the midst of plurality of processes, it is noteworthy the Ud-lap grinding. This research studied the UP manufacture of flat TZ-3Y-E zirconia surfaces lap ground with epoxy binder SiC grinding wheels, aiming to nanometer roughness and microstructural integrity without damage. Discs of TZ-3Y-E were isostatically pressed at 200 MPa and sintered at 1400 °C for 2 hours. The discs were characterized by tests of: microhardness; contact and optical profilometry; FEG-SEM; Raman spectroscopy; XRD; and confocal epi-fluorescence. Mechanical and electric-electronic designs of Fiocchi lap grinder were developed toward the UP ceramic grinding. Results showed that the developmental design of Fiocchi lap grinder was successful. The accomplishment and control of ceramic processing stages were essential for dense and homogenous ceramic bodies, compatible with the finish aspired. The machining parameters that stood out were: 0.1 mm depth of dressing; 100 kPa lap grinding pressure; 100 rpm grinding wheel and workpiece-holder; and emulsion applied by MQF. Suction of debris on the grinding wheel has improved finishing in 21.6%, however the combination of two-body abrasion (grinding wheel) and three-body abrasion (loose abrasives) decreased roughness in 57.15%. The macroeffect was visible on #800, #600, and #300 dressed with Ud = 1. The best finishing, Ra = 60.63 nm, came from #300 grinding wheel dressed with Ud = 5. The smallest flatness deviation, 0.308 μm, was obtained with the #800 grinding wheel and Ud = 3. The process has achieved zirconia plasticity conditions pointing towards predominance of microcutting and pulverization material removal mechanism without causing microcrack. According to XRD and Raman spectroscopy, the Ud-lap grinding caused no martensitic transformation. However, #300 grinding wheel has generated asymmetric broadening of the tetragonal peaks close to 2θ = 35° e 39° and reversal of the intensities of 40° and 41° tetragonal peaks. The reversal was attributed to ferroelastic switching and reorientation of crystallographic planes into crystallite level. Studies suggest that the machining has introduced compressive residual stress that may have stabilized rhombohedral phase. There is no report of an abrasive process capable of achieving similar nanometric finish with same grit size and type of abrasive. The Ud-lap grinding can replace the engagement of grinding, lapping, and polishing of advanced ceramics.