Finishing of Tubes using Bonded Magnetic Abrasive Powder in an Abrasive Medium

Abstract

Magnetic abrasive flow finishing (MAFF) is an unconventional process capable of producing fine finishing with machining forces controlled by a magnetic field. This process can be utilized for hard to achieve inner surfaces through the activity of extrusion pressure, combined with abrasion activity of a magnetic abrasive powder (MAP) in a polymeric medium. MAP is the key component in securing systematic removal of material and a decent surface finish in MAFF. The research background disclosed various methods such as sintering, adhesive based, mechanical alloying, plasma based, chemical, etc. for the production of bonded MAP. This investigation proposes bonded MAP produced by mechanical alloying followed by heat treatment. The experiments have been conducted on aluminum tubes to investigate the influence of different parameters like magnetic field density, extrusion pressure and number of working cycles. The bonded magnetic abrasive powder used in MAFF is very effective to finish tubes’ inner surfaces and finishing is significantly improved after processing.