The shape of the cutting blades of the abrasive grains has an influence on the material separation process in the machining zone. The paper analyzes the influence of the geometrical parameters of the abrasive grains (rake angle γ, apex angle ε, opening angle α), as well as width bz and length bb of the cutting zone on the material removal efficiency. The material removal efficiency was determined taking into account the volume of the removed material VG and the volume of lateral piles-up VR. The analyses were carried out on the basis of the results of experimental and simulations using the finite element method. The relationship between the selected geometric parameters characterizing the cutting zone and the coefficient characterizing the efficiency of the material removal process was determined. A strong influence of the opening angle α as well as the width bz and length bb of the cutting zone on the material removal process by abrasive grain was demonstrated. It was observed that the wide cutting edge, and thus the large opening angle α of the grain, reduced the size of the pile-ups and more effectively removed the chip material.
Keywords: abrasive grain; apex angle; cutting blade; cutting edge; efficiency; finite elements methods (FEM); grinding; material removal; opening angle; rake angle; titanium alloy.