Abstract

Abrasive wear systems employ a coulomb friction process so that the power input per unit area of abraded surface is related to the product of local pressure and relative velocity by the Coulomb friction factor. The product of this power input with a process dependent efficiency factor yields the volumetric removal rate per unit area. Calculation of pressure is therefore necessary to determine abrasive removal rates. Local pressure variations are also necessary to determine local geometries such as edge rounding and roll-off. A pressure distribution poorly suited to a specific application may lead to an increase in the separation between the part and lap, permitting entrance to particle agglomerations or abrasive particles larger than would otherwise gain entrance. Such conditions lead to surfaces rougher than usual. Finally, calculations based on elastically produced pressure variations permit estimates of rates of smoothing or roughing in some applications.

© 1996 Optical Society of America