Suppression of chatter in grinding using high-viscosity coolants

Abstract Contact area deformation between grinding wheel and workpiece is one of the major parameters that affect the susceptibility of the grinding process to chatter. Introducing an artificial damping to this area is one way to improve the process stability. Damping can be introduced by creating a high hydrodynamic pressure in the contact zone wedge between the wheel and the workpiece. Using high viscosity coolant with an impervious grinding wheel such as a diamond grit wheel will produce this pressure. This paper presents a theoretical and experimental model which confirms the favourable effect of the induced hydrodynamic pressure on the stability and hence the chatter that may be present in the grinding process.