Models of Abrasive Grains in Tools: A Review

Abrasive machining must not only provide the necessary machining quality but also ensure stable surface characteristics of the workpiece throughout tool operation. The main factors affecting workpiece quality (its microgeometry or texture) are the shape of the tool’s working surface and the shape of the abrasive grain. Models that have been adopted for the abrasive grain in the literature on abrasive tools are reviewed in the present work. That provides the basis for formulating the requirements when modeling the tool and workpiece surfaces during various types of machining (from grinding to plateau honing).