Experimental Investigation on CO2 Laser-Assisted Micro-Grinding Characteristics of Al2O3

Abstract

Fabricating micro-scale features in ceramic materials, such as alumina (Al2O3), is challenging because of their high hardness and brittleness. Laser-assisted machining, in which a laser beam is a heat source for pre-softening the local area on a workpiece, is an effective hybrid method for machining ceramics. The study identified the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser-assisted micro-grinding (LAMG) with a wire electrical discharge grinding polycrystalline diamond tool on Al2O3. Comprehensive investigations have been conducted on the effects of laser beam machining itself and the effect of machining parameters, such as laser beam power, axial depth of cut, and feed rate. The average grinding force was found to decrease by 46% in the thrust direction and 44% in the feed direction, and surface roughness decreased by 17% with LAMG. Moreover, machining at a higher feed rate was possible without tool fracture. The results indicate that the CO2 laser heating of Al2O3 has significant advantages over conventional methods regarding machinability and channel geometry. Finally, an improved LAMG process to prevent edge cracks by revising the machining conditions is proposed.