Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale

Distribution characterization of geometry shape and size of abrasive grits with high quality in tight size band and exact pattern is crucial for modern tool manufacturer to make fine powder abrasive tool and other powder tools, but complex to be classified and evaluated accurately due to the lack of...

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Datum:2019
Hauptverfasser: Chen, Y., Chen, X., AIOuarab, L., Opoz, T., Xu, X.P., Yu, G.
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Veröffentlicht: Інститут надтвердих матеріалів ім. В.М. Бакуля НАН України 2019
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Zitieren:Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale / Y. Chen, X. Chen, L. AIOuarab, T. Opoz, X.P. Xu, G. Yu // Надтверді матеріали. — 2019. — № 3 (239). — С. 62-76. — Бібліогр.: 26 назв. — англ.

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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
id nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-167312
record_format dspace
spelling Chen, Y.
Chen, X.
AIOuarab, L.
Opoz, T.
Xu, X.P.
Yu, G.
2020-03-24T13:34:54Z
2020-03-24T13:34:54Z
2019
Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale / Y. Chen, X. Chen, L. AIOuarab, T. Opoz, X.P. Xu, G. Yu // Надтверді матеріали. — 2019. — № 3 (239). — С. 62-76. — Бібліогр.: 26 назв. — англ.
0203-3119
https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/167312
548.7:621.921.1
Distribution characterization of geometry shape and size of abrasive grits with high quality in tight size band and exact pattern is crucial for modern tool manufacturer to make fine powder abrasive tool and other powder tools, but complex to be classified and evaluated accurately due to the lack of scientific method. In contrast to industrial methods with sieving mesh size or simplified projection criteria with circumscribed (inscribed or escribed) circle or rectangle, a set of new systemic criteria is developed and validated by measuring three representative grits samples in micron scale under 2D/3D microscopy platform.
Характеристика розподілу геометричної форми та розміру абразивних зерен з високою якістю у щільному діапазоні розмірів і точна картина є вирішальною для сучасного виробника інструменту для виготовлення абразивного інструменту з дрібнодисперсного порошку та інших порошкових інструментів, складних для класифікації та оцінки з огляду на відсутність наукового методу. На відміну від промислових методів класифікації по розмірам сітчастих комірок або спрощених критеріїв проекції з обмеженим (вписаним або описаним) колом або прямокутником, розроблено та затверджено набір нових системних критеріїв шляхом вимірювання трьох репрезентативних зразків зерен в мікронній шкалі під 2D/3D мікроскопією.
Характеристика распределения геометрической формы и размера абразивных зерен с высоким качеством в плотном диапазоне размеров и точная картина является решающим для современного производителя инструмента для изготовления абразивного инструмента из мелкодиспетного порошка и других порошковых инструментов, сложных для классификации и оценки, учитывая отсутствие научного метода. В отличие от промышленных методов классификации по размерам сетчатых ячеек или упрощенных критериев проекции с ограниченным (вписанным или описанным) кругом или прямоугольником, разработан и утвержден набор новых системных критериев путем измерения трех репрезентативных образцов зерен в микронной шкале под 2D/3D микроскопией.
This work is supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China (Grant No 51235004), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 51575198).
en
Інститут надтвердих матеріалів ім. В.М. Бакуля НАН України
Сверхтвердые материалы
Інструмент, порошки, пасти
Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
Article
published earlier
institution Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
collection DSpace DC
title Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
spellingShingle Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
Chen, Y.
Chen, X.
AIOuarab, L.
Opoz, T.
Xu, X.P.
Yu, G.
Інструмент, порошки, пасти
title_short Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
title_full Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
title_fullStr Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
title_full_unstemmed Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
title_sort morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale
author Chen, Y.
Chen, X.
AIOuarab, L.
Opoz, T.
Xu, X.P.
Yu, G.
author_facet Chen, Y.
Chen, X.
AIOuarab, L.
Opoz, T.
Xu, X.P.
Yu, G.
topic Інструмент, порошки, пасти
topic_facet Інструмент, порошки, пасти
publishDate 2019
language English
container_title Сверхтвердые материалы
publisher Інститут надтвердих матеріалів ім. В.М. Бакуля НАН України
format Article
description Distribution characterization of geometry shape and size of abrasive grits with high quality in tight size band and exact pattern is crucial for modern tool manufacturer to make fine powder abrasive tool and other powder tools, but complex to be classified and evaluated accurately due to the lack of scientific method. In contrast to industrial methods with sieving mesh size or simplified projection criteria with circumscribed (inscribed or escribed) circle or rectangle, a set of new systemic criteria is developed and validated by measuring three representative grits samples in micron scale under 2D/3D microscopy platform. Характеристика розподілу геометричної форми та розміру абразивних зерен з високою якістю у щільному діапазоні розмірів і точна картина є вирішальною для сучасного виробника інструменту для виготовлення абразивного інструменту з дрібнодисперсного порошку та інших порошкових інструментів, складних для класифікації та оцінки з огляду на відсутність наукового методу. На відміну від промислових методів класифікації по розмірам сітчастих комірок або спрощених критеріїв проекції з обмеженим (вписаним або описаним) колом або прямокутником, розроблено та затверджено набір нових системних критеріїв шляхом вимірювання трьох репрезентативних зразків зерен в мікронній шкалі під 2D/3D мікроскопією. Характеристика распределения геометрической формы и размера абразивных зерен с высоким качеством в плотном диапазоне размеров и точная картина является решающим для современного производителя инструмента для изготовления абразивного инструмента из мелкодиспетного порошка и других порошковых инструментов, сложных для классификации и оценки, учитывая отсутствие научного метода. В отличие от промышленных методов классификации по размерам сетчатых ячеек или упрощенных критериев проекции с ограниченным (вписанным или описанным) кругом или прямоугольником, разработан и утвержден набор новых системных критериев путем измерения трех репрезентативных образцов зерен в микронной шкале под 2D/3D микроскопией.
issn 0203-3119
url https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/167312
citation_txt Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale / Y. Chen, X. Chen, L. AIOuarab, T. Opoz, X.P. Xu, G. Yu // Надтверді матеріали. — 2019. — № 3 (239). — С. 62-76. — Бібліогр.: 26 назв. — англ.
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fulltext http://stmj.org.ua 62 Інструмент, порошки, пасти UCD 548.7:621.921.1 Y. Chen1, 2,*, X. Chen3, L. AIOuarab3, T. Opoz3, X. P. Xu2, G. Yu4 1College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, PR China 2Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Brittle Materials Machining, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, PR China 3Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK 4Roll forging institute, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China *42371502@qq.com Morphology analysis and characteristics evaluation of typical super abrasive grits in micron scale Distribution characterization of geometry shape and size of abrasive grits with high quality in tight size band and exact pattern is crucial for modern tool manufacturer to make fine powder abrasive tool and other powder tools, but complex to be classified and evaluated accurately due to the lack of scientific method. In con- trast to industrial methods with sieving mesh size or simplified projection criteria with circumscribed (inscribed or escribed) circle or rectangle, a set of new systemic criteria is developed and validated by measuring three representative grits samples in micron scale under 2D/3D microscopy platform. The features of micron abrasive grits under morphology classification include total four groups, six sub-groups and eighteen sub- types in consideration of spatial geometry and statistical size distribution. For grinding performance analysis and simulation, it would be better to use a set of dominant volumetric geometries rather than use single simple geometry. Furthermore, the significance of abrasive grits geometries in grinding performance is discussed. Keywords: super abrasive grit, morphology analysis, characteristics categorization, microscopy technique, size distribution. INTRODUCTION Morphology knowledge on characteristics and distribution of ge- ometry shape and size of abrasive grit is a prerequisite for abrasive tool producers, researchers and users to analyse and improve grinding performance. In grinding, the main task of abrasive grits characterised by size, shape stochastic distribution and other mechanical-thermal properties is to conduct either material removal by © Y. CHEN, X. CHEN, L. AIOUARAB, T. OPOZ, X. P. XU, G. YU, 2019 ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 63 forming chip in ductile material or surface shattering in brittle material [1–4]. Thus not only morphological but also physicochemical properties of abrasive grits, together with abrasive tool preparation and grinding conditions, are crucial to achieve better ground surface, dimensional tolerance and process stability. In many previous researches on grinding dynamics, the shapes of abrasive grits are commonly assumed to be either individual cone or pyramid with designated angles, even simplest sphere, or ellipsoid [1, 3, 5, 6] for solid grit modelling and grinding simulation to analyse elastic-plastic deformation and stress-strain distribu- tion in material removal. In fact, the actual grits distributed on the circumference of abrasive tool are not exactly same even far away from aforementioned geometrical assumption in grinding. As a result, the conclusions drawn from scratching tests utilizing single grit or multiple grits with predefined and simplified geometrical shape do not convince very well and the grinding behaviour in the grit-material contact zone can hardly be elaborated with satisfied accuracy. To determine morphology distribution of abrasive grits, electrical sensing zone, forward and right angle light scattering, dynamic light scattering, centrifugal sedi- mentation and automated image analysis (optical or scanning electron microscope (SEM)) are used widely in industry by implementing two-dimension similarity criteria of regular shapes projection [7–9]. Some facilities, such as particle size analyzers, are currently available for the determination of size distribution of sub- sieve diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN) powders [10–13]. However until now, the studies find that no single measurement apparatus and no relative three- dimension evaluation criteria are available to determine all information on grit quality, property and performance. With the development of special market demands of designated grits, abrasive tool producers are facing challenges driven by customers, which requires new gen- eration of tool products with optimized morphology and strict size distribution in micron scales. In order to investigate ideal material removal mechanism for better grinding behaviour and ground surface quality, highly-engineered abrasive tools are manufactured with specially defined grit pattern or with micro-cutting edges, i.e. with controlled size, required shape and distribution on surface of abrasive tools [14–17]. Due to aforementioned extraordinary uncertainty and dissimilarity of randomly distribution or irregularly abrasive shapes, there are few procedures and criteria on abrasive assessment and classification published. This paper at- tempts to comprehensively expound a more feasible procedure on identifying spa- tially volumetric geometrical characteristics with high accuracy (i.e. how close a measured value is to the true value), precision (i.e. the variation in repeated meas- urements conducted by same device and operator) and size distribution of micron grits in microscopy assessment. A set of newly presentd systemic criteria of mor- phology categorization are proposed to define dominant morphological characteris- tics of the grits with mathematic statistical methods, which will benefit core com- petency of stakeholders, such as abrasive grit producers, grinding tool users and researchers for grinding dynamics analysis using finite element method (FEM) simulation and experimental technique. Furthermore, the presented microscopy technique, categorization criteria and 3D abrasive morphological distribution defi- nition could provide a good guidance for abrasive tool manufacturers and users to appraise pre-process quality of abrasive grits and to predict their grinding perfor- mance. SAMPLE MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE In practical application, a series of pre-processing procedures in accordance with international standard, including milling and grading, acid cleaning, sieving, http://stmj.org.ua 64 sedimentation, washing and drying, blending, quality controlling etc, are selec- tively implemented in terms of specific demands of product specification and prop- erties [18]. In the paper, the focus is on geometrical characteristics. Sieving process Sieving is a regular process performed easily either by manual work or by machine to separate abrasive grits from uniform sieves in different mesh size grades. Coarse abrasive grits are definitely classified in terms of sieving mesh size. Finer or powder grits are classified by sedimentation process in terms of multiple national and international standards, such as ANSI, FEPA, FEPA, GB/T ISO, etc. [19]. In measurement test, it is noted that determining a grit dimension by means of sieving mesh size does not imply an accurate value, but rather a size band. The band is definitized by means of a set of sieving instruments retaining or passing a number of grits with specific size. However, the quality of sieving process with the physical method largely depends on the shape features of the grits. For example, for the grits in shape of round or bulky cube and triangle, mesh size defines their approximate diameter or circumference, but for the grits in irregular shape (e.g. in needle or spike shape), the maximum dimension of the analyte might be larger than the mesh size as the grits could pass through sieves with their smallest cross- section profile. Therefore, wider size distribution of irregular grits is, higher uncer- tainty of shape distribution of the grits increases. Sample preparation process In sample preparation process, well-dispersed, rather than clusters or over- lapped samples sprayed on the glass slide are needed to avoid difficult-to-capture situation and to carry out microscopy observation tests. In the study, three types of representative samples that have great grinding performance and physical proper- ties with higher hardness, excellent mechanical-thermal properties and highest occupation rate of industrial market worldwide, namely A (coarse diamond grit), B (finer CBN micron grit) and C (finer diamond grit) are listed in Table 1. Table 1. Specification and properties of the samples Sample types Geometry properties ANSI grain size, μm, and standards (ANSI-B74-16) Physical properties A (diamond) Coarse and dark Sharp polygon edges 302–456; 40/50# Irregular monocrystal Moderate strength Resin bond B (CBN) Finer and dark brown Sharp triangle edges 127–165; 100/120# Complete crystal form High strength High thermal stability Resin bond C (diamond) Powder and light grey Concentrated size dis- tribution 12–22; 9# Uniform lump microstructure High thermal stability Metal bond ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 65 Due to different size magnitudes of three types of samples, a large number of the particles are composed in even just one carat of the samples. The number of the sampled particles observed in tests is only very small proportion of the whole sam- ples. Thus, proper sampling density in tests is crucial to fulfil statistical analyse (i.e. to improve the objectivity of the classification). To eliminate the subjectivity of decision made by the operator, each test is conducted with at least 2–3 inde- pendent groups of the samples. Each group of the samples is composed of over 50 particles randomly-captured under an optical microscopy vision area. Microscopy measurement process Optical microscopy technique is commonly used to measure sub-sieve powder diamond grits and micron CBN grits by capturing their clear images. The samples in the images are then dimensioned for size analysis and shape classification by means of accessional image software. The process allows the operator to observe the positioned samples and to evaluate their shape characteristics and size band. In general, the sample size is defined as the diameter of minimum circumscribed cir- cle that completely encloses the 2D projected image of the sample (i.e. equivalent circle diameter) or recorded with the longest single dimension of grit edges (LSD) [12]. Prior to measurement, the scale calibration of microscopy device is essential to significantly assure reliability of the test according to accuracy standard and size distribution of the samples. The purpose of scale calibration is to establish a unified metric basis for dimensioning size of the samples in sub-sieve accurately. After that, different size distribution of the samples could be constructed by visually classifying and accumulating counts in sequence. Following such a defined proce- dure, the characterization criteria of size and shape distribution is elaborated in next section. So far, automated optical scanning system (e.g. using optical or SEM micro- scope coupled with a computerized image analyzer) can eliminate most of the fa- tiguing measurement works [13]. However besides high cost, not a single tech- nique or feasible device is available to measure and identify the size and shape spectrum of the particles at consistent accuracy. Each technique/device is capable of providing optimal application in a certain size range based on specific 2D profile similarity (e.g. circularity and sphericity ) characterization. In the investigation, the images of the particles are captured under a Leica DFC 295/CH9435 optical microscope (Leica Microsystem Ltd, Germany) [20] coupled with an objective lens of magnification 100×, 50×, 20×, 10×, 5×. The microscope, which scanning distance from 0.5 μm to 2000 μm is equipped with a digital camera OLYMPUS BX51M. The size and morphology analysis are carried out with an image analysis software (LAS V3.6). The images of particles are shown in Fig. 1 (sample group A, magnification 5×, scale calibration: 200 μm), Fig. 2 (sample group B, magnification 20×, scale calibration: 125 μm) and Fig. 3 (sample group C, magnification 10×, scale calibration: 10 μm). In Fig. 1, it is clearly shown that there are many truncated particles with smooth top-surfaces (Area S1) formed due to natural crystalline fracture in previous milling process. Similar situation is observed from a few of CBN particles in Fig. 2 and some diamond particles in Fig. 3. In contrast to commonly blunt flanks of the particles in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, sharper flanks of the particle exist in Fig. 2. Further, all length dimensions of the samples edges both at top-surface (Area S1) and at bottom-surface (Area S2) in planar shapes of triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon or hexagon, are measured clockwise according to calibrated scale and incrementally http://stmj.org.ua 66 recorded with Origin 8.0 software. Meanwhile for the samples in shape of polygon, maximum size and minimum size between longest single dimension of edges (LSD) and relative dimension of vertical line from the farthest vertex away from LSD are depicted as length (L) and width (W) of the grit only at bottom projection surface (Area S2) in accordance with sieving mesh size. The length (L) and width (W) of the samples in shape of rhomb or ellipse correspond to major axis and minor axis. By substituting the edges dimensions into quantitative area formulas in Origin 8.0 software, projection areas of the samples, including truncated-surface area (Area S1) and bottom profile area (Area S2) and length (L) and width (W) of the grits are obtained and dimensioned in Fig. 1, b, Fig. 2, b, Fig. 3, b. For most parti- cles in Fig. 2, b and Fig. 3, b, Area S2 almost overlaps with Area S1. The aspect ratio (AR) of width to length of each grit is calculated automatically as an impor- tant variable to assess shape features. a b Fig. 1. Sample group A with 5× magnification in full image (a), in enlarged image (b). a b Fig. 2. Sample group B with 50× magnification in full image (a), in focusing image (b). GRIT MORPHOLOGY CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA Due to the lack of key volumetric information on 2D projection (matt or glossy), the microrelief of the particles with spatially volumetric features could be identified by utilising back light microscopy, surface division scanning technique on Bruker ContourGT platform (version 64) [21] and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Combining with essential exposure highlight skills ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 67 (e.g. enhancing light intensity, hues, saturation and contrast and depth of measured field), some examples are shown in Fig. 4. The randomly captured geometry char- acteristics, including spiky apex, contour peaks, truncated profiles and prismatic columns, are visually extracted from top-surface/flanks inscribed with dotted lines or circles to determine dominant frustums and bases so as to dimension all samples edges according to calibration metrics and then calculate the ratio of top-surface area (S1) to bottom-profile area (S2) by conducting aforementioned quantitative dimension analysis of each grit edges. In contrast to many previous conclusions on 2D shape distribution determined by simple AR or circumscribed circle, a new categorisation method is proposed to classify the grits into four groups (e.g. ellipsoid, frustum pyramid, truncated cone and arbitrary polyhedron), six subgroups and eighteen subtypes of 3D characteristics categories. The identifi- cation criteria of categorisation are illustrated in Table 2 to identify and classify abrasive grits according to their geometries with acceptable similarity, uniqueness and practicability disregarding the broken or torn edges. a b Fig. 3. Sample group C with 10× magnification in full image (a), in enlarged image (b). a b Fig. 4. SEM images group B (a), group C (b). RESULT AND DISCUSSION Particle geometry and morphology distribution Based on the classification methods defined in Table 2, the 3D morphological distributions of abrasive grits in groups A, B and C, whose sample numbers are http://stmj.org.ua 68 102, 159 and 133 respectively, are visually illustrated in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 with histogram and pie charts to indicate the relationship between the sample amounts (in sub-histogram (a)) or morphology proportion (in sub-chart (b)) and relevant geometries. The geometrical shapes of each sample group are categorised with detailed sharp, broken and torn situations of particle edges are presented elaborately to facilitate the evaluation of quality control in milling and sieving processes and grinding performance. It can be seen that only a few types of geometrical shapes dominate the population of abrasive grits. Tetrahedron and pyramid shapes are among the most popular one. Table 2. Morphology categorization criteria Morphology categorization Group Subgroup Sub-type Geometry Characteristics formulae Projection disambiguata- tion Sphere S1:S2 ≥ 0.8 Ellipsoid S1:S2 < 0.8 None Triangular pyramid Three edges and one high- lighted peak Rectangular pyramid Four edges and one highlighted peak Pentahedron Five edges and one highlighted peak Rhombohedron S1:S2 ≤ 0.1 Six edges and one highlighted peak Frustum pyramid Three edges and one trun- cated top- surface Truncated tetrahedron Four edges and one truncated top-surface Truncated pentahedron Five edges and one truncated top-surface Truncated rhombohedron 0.1 < S1:S2 < 0.8 Six edges and one truncated top-surface Triangular prism S1:S2 ≥ 0.8 Three edges and one trun- cated top- surface ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 69 Table 2. (Contd.) Quadrangular prism Four edges and one truncated top-surface Pentahedral prism Five edges and one truncated top-surface Rhombohedral prism Six edges and one truncated top-surface Cone S1:S2 ≤ 0.1 Round bottom- surface and one peak Truncated cone 0.1 < S1:S2 < 0.8 Round bottom- surface and one top-surface Cylinder S1:S2 ≥ 0.8 Round bottom- surface and one top-surface Arbitrary polyhedron S1:S2 ≥ 0.8 or Number of edges > 6 Arbitrary poly- gon in top- surface a b Fig. 5. Morphology distribution of group A in histogram (a), in categorized pie charts (b). a b Fig. 6. Morphology distribution of group B in histogram (a), in categorized pie charts (b). http://stmj.org.ua 70 a b Fig. 7. Morphology distribution of group C in histogram (a), in categorized pie charts (b). Particle size and size distribution The absolute values of maximum and mean in length and width bands and their size distribution of the samples are illustrated in Fig. 8. As an important index of morphological characteristics to indicate random distribution from measurement tests in industry, the variable ix is defined as the AR of the width Wi to the length Li of each abrasive grit, depicted as: i i i L x W= . (1) Sample number Sample number a b Sample number c Fig. 8. Size and size distribution of three samples group A (a), group B (b), group C (c): maximum of length (1), mean of length (2), maximum of width (3), mean of width (4). ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 71 The mean of AR is calculated as  = = n i i n x x 1 , (2) where n is total number of the samples. The standard deviation σ of size distribution of the width and length of the grits and their AR is defined to depict how all data of the grits sizes are spread out from the mean (the expected value), calculated by  = −=σ n i i n xx 1 2)( . (3) The AR distribution of three groups of samples and their distribution density comparison diagram are shown in Fig. 9. By combining its size band with the standard deviation σ of the AR distribution, the shape and variation of abrasive distribution could be assessed for the conformance of production. The tighter the AR distribution of the grits in its size band, the greater the conformance of production is. The AR distribution of group A would be approximated as a Gaussian distribution which expected value is set to the mean of the AR and the probability density function is depicted as [22] 2 2 2 )( 2 1 )( σ −− σπ = xxi exf . (4) a b c d Fig. 9. AR distribution of three samples group A (a), group B (b), group C (c), their resultant diagram (d). With Gaussian distribution function, the results of group A in Fig. 9, a illustrate that the conformance of grit AR within ],[ σ+σ− xx is 79 % (empirical reference value in industry is 68.3 %) and within ]2,2[ σ+σ− xx is 100 % (empirical refer- http://stmj.org.ua 72 ence value is 95.4 %) respectively [23]. The similar analysis results are observed in Figs. 9, b and c. Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 9, d, the bigger σ, the wider the AR values scatter (e.g. group B) and the greater the random variation. However, the narrower distribution of the AR values (e.g. group A) does not necessarily lead to less variation of the morphological geometries within the size band of the grits. In fact, the Group A presents more morphological types of grits than other groups. Although the conformance proportion of abrasive grits size and AR values could reveal quality satisfaction of abrasive production, it does not reveal the abrasive grit shape variation. This convinces that 3D morphological features are necessary to provide a rational guidance to improve core competency for abrasive tool manufacturers and users. Morphology analysis and its significance Combined with all data from Fig. 5 to Fig. 9, the properties and geometry characteristics of all studies samples that are interested for different stakeholders are summarized in Table 3. Table 3. Comparison of geometry, size and their distribution of all samples Sample types Group A Group B Group C Particle scale Coarse micron Finer micron Sub-sieving powder Dominant geometries and proportion Tetrahedron, 29 % Pentahedron, 17 % Pyramid, 16 % Arbitrary polyhedron, 10 % Pyramid, 36 % Tetrahedron, 29 % Arbitrary polyhedron, 9 % Pentahedron, 7 % Tetrahedron, 32 % Ellipsoid, 23 % Pyramid, 20 % Sphere, 18 % Mean of length, μm 390.5 178 23.5 Standard deviation of length (σ) 43.8 24.56 3.92 Size range of dimen- sioned length and conformance proportion within ],[ σ+σ− xx [354, 438] 72 % [140, 200] 77 % [18, 27] 73 % Mean of width, μm 343.3 134 18.7 Standard deviation of width σ 35.7 19.2 3.21 Size range of dimen- sioned width and conformance proportion within ],[ σ+σ− xx [304, 378] 79 % [101, 152] 65 % [13, 20] 72 % Mean of AR of width/length 0.76 0.75 0.71 Probability density of AR 2.98 2.6 2.66 Sieving mesh size, μm (ANSI-B74-16) [302, 456] [127, 165] [12, 22] ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 73 In Table 3, the particles of group A in coarse micron scale have a mean value of width (343.3 μm) close to the low limit of sieving mesh size standard ([302, 456] μm) (Reference: ANSI-B74-16 [19]) and a size range ([304, 378] μm) with highest conformance proportion (79 %) in three samples. It demonstrates the vali- dation of measurement results [23] but unsatisfying level of milling and sieving in the pre-process, which makes comparatively smaller particles than required stan- dard ones around sieving mesh size. Moreover, the arbitrary polyhedron with great proportion of 10 % of the samples also confirms the unsatisfying situation. The pre-process should be improved to obtain satisfying shape (with consistent features of dominant grit shapes) and size band (around the mean of standard size range) of the particle in the future. The real dominant geometries of the particle are tetrahe- dron, pentahedron and pyramid in proportion order, as shown in Fig. 5, even though internal features, e.g. cutting edges companying with irregular broken, torn and sharp are observed in captured images. It is essential for researchers by taking tetrahedron or pentahedron geometrical shapes as key features in modelling group A grit performance and to conduct dynamics signals monitoring and simulation and further to predict grinding performance, friction and wear behaviour of abrasive tools [16, 24]. The particles of group B, as finer micron grits, have a mean value of width (134 μm) close to the low limit of sieving mesh size standard ([127, 165] μm) shows a wider size distribution band ([101, 152] μm) but the lowest conformance proportion of width band of 65 % (less than 68.3 %). It demonstrates that a certain proportion of tiny or over-sized grits with wider distribution band shown in Fig. 9, b and a diverse morphology distribution (e.g. arbitrary polyhedron, irregular sphere and ellipsoid with shattered edges, etc) blended with of the dominant geometries of the particle, which cause the measurement difficulty on exactly morphology identification. The dominant geometries of the particles are pyramid and regular tetrahedron (the sum of two proportions is 65 %), as shown in Fig. 6. Thus, these two geometries should be approximately considered in modelling the simplified geometry for simulating chip formation, dynamic friction and wear behaviour. Furthermore, a large number of grit geometries with shattered edges and irregular morphology distribution make it more complex in abrasive tool preparation for designated pattern and grinding dynamics prediction. During grinding ductile materials (e.g. copper), because the different shapes of micro- cutting edges (i.e. circular/square/triangular base frustums) would influence the grinding performance (e.g. shearing/fracturing/plastic deformation, surface texture, surface roughness, specific cutting forces), the increased number of cutting edges on grits could produce more localised material pile-up and reduce plastic chip removals [2, 3, 16]. Moreover, the shearing/fracturing phenomena were preponderant in the material removal mechanism when using square/triangular shaped grits while major plastic deformations were found for circular base frustum during grinding brittle materials (e.g. sapphire or ceramics) [16]. The sharp cutting edges of single grit, as shown in Fig. 2, would easily result in grit fracture, crack propagations and re-sharpening during grinding process even though the git mate- rial is of high strength and thermal stability, which are beneficial to achieve finish ground surface. The particles of group C, as a sub-sieving powder, which mean value of width (18.7 μm) is closer to the upper limit of sieving mesh size standard ([12, 22] μm) than the other two particles, have a tighter size band ([13, 20] μm) as shown in Fig. 8, c. This is the evidence that the high quality control of milling, sieving and sedimentation techniques has been implemented in pre-process procedure. The http://stmj.org.ua 74 morphology distribution of the particle mainly composes of tetrahedron and ellip- soid with high proportion (the sum of two proportions is 55 %), accompanying with pyramid and sphere at high proportion as well. The proper mean of AR (0.71) as shown in Fig. 9, c, is ideal and optimal for practical manufacture process to improve the holding force distribution of the diamond abrasives [5, 6]. Meanwhile, most of the grits with bulky and unbroken edges, which induce block shear behaviour, are beneficial to achieve smoother workpiece surface roughness, less clogging and abrasive grit wear. This results in predominantly bulk material displacement or plastic deformation in orthogonally orientated working-surface when machining difficult-to-machine ductile materials with high hardness at high and super-high speed [16, 25, 26]. CONCLUSIONS Through high quality control in pre-process and pro-process procedures, abrasive grits at a tight size band and high forming accuracy remains one of the most important influence factors on abrasive grinding/polishing tools preparation, removal mechanism and grinding performance. Because particle-sorting techniques and quality-evaluating system are often accompanied with special device, microscopy techniques and comprehensive identification criteria with low efficiency and high cost, they are seldom openly discussed. It is widely required among grit providers, abrasive machining tool manufacturer and user to have scientific insight on the identification and morphology categorization of spatially volumetric geometry and size distribution of abrasive grits in micron scale. For this purpose, a new categorisation method is proposed to enable the size and morphological distribution of volumetric geometries of abrasives to be standardised for grinding dynamics analysis and simulation, which is beneficial to grinding performance prediction. By means of conducting microscopy measurement tests, three types of abrasive grits were assessed in terms of the aspect ratio of width to length of the samples, dominant volumetric shapes, tight size distribution, their standard deviation and conformance proportion. It is found that only a few types of grit morphologic geometries dominate the grit population. After the analysis of current methods used in abrasive machining research, it is suggested that the analysis of abrasive processing should focus on a set of dominant grit shapes rather than just single simplified geometry. With the observation and analysis, the dominant volumetric geometries of grits are tetrahedron and pentahedron for sample group A, tetrahedron and ellipsoid for sample group B and geometries of pyramid and tetrahedron for sample group C. FUNDING This work is supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China (Grant No 51235004), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 51575198). Характеристика розподілу геометричної форми та розміру абразивних зерен з високою якістю у щільному діапазоні розмірів і точна картина є вирішальною для сучасного виробника інструменту для виготовлення абразивного інструменту з дрібноди- сперсного порошку та інших порошкових інструментів, складних для класифікації та оцінки з огляду на відсутність наукового методу. На відміну від промислових методів класифікації по розмірам сітчастих комірок або спрощених критеріїв проекції з обмеже- ним (вписаним або описаним) колом або прямокутником, розроблено та затверджено набір нових системних критеріїв шляхом вимірювання трьох репрезентативних зразків зерен в мікронній шкалі під 2D/3D мікроскопією. До особливостей мікронних абразивних зерен за морфологічною класифікацією належать чотири групи, шість підгруп та ISSN 0203-3119. Надтверді матеріали, 2019, № 3 75 вісімнадцять підтипів з урахуванням просторової геометрії та статистичного розподілу розмірів. Для аналізу та моделювання продуктивності шліфування було б краще викори- стовувати набір домінуючих об’ємних геометрій, а не використовувати одну просту геометрію. Крім того, обговорюється значення геометрії абразивних зерен при шліфуванні. Ключові слова: суперабразивний порошок, морфологічний аналіз, категоризація характеристик, техніка мікроскопії; розподіл розмірів. Характеристика распределения геометрической формы и размера аб- разивных зерен с высоким качеством в плотном диапазоне размеров и точная картина является решающим для современного производителя инструмента для изготовления абразивного инструмента из мелкодиспетного порошка и других порошковых инстру- ментов, сложных для классификации и оценки, учитывая отсутствие научного метода. В отличие от промышленных методов классификации по размерам сетчатых ячеек или упрощенных критериев проекции с ограниченным (вписанным или описанным) кругом или прямоугольником, разработан и утвержден набор новых системных критериев путем измерения трех репрезентативных образцов зерен в микронной шкале под 2D/3D микро- скопией. К особенностям микронных абразивных зерен по морфологической классифика- ции относятся четыре группы, шесть подгрупп и восемнадцать подтипов с учетом про- странственной геометрии и статистического распределения размеров. 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Vol. 46, no. 3–4. P. 343–352. Received 21.05.18 Revised 27.06.18 Accepted 27.06.18