Residue to Resource: A Review on Examining Applications and Challenges in Reusing Grinding Sludge

Grinding is a manufacturing process that is used to produce high-precision surface-quality parts. The grinding sludge (GS) is a mixture of hard metal chips, abrasives, and lubricants. GS composition varies based on the type of material processed and the grinding process utilized. The metalworking industry generates it in large quantities and poses significant disposal challenges. Numerous methods for recycling and reusing grinding sludge using raw materials have been investigated. This review paper examines the potential applications and challenges of reusing grinding sludge. The production process results in the generation of a significant amount of waste material during the grinding process. As a result, efforts must be made to recycle or reuse this waste material to reduce its environmental impact and make better use of resources. However, there are significant obstacles to overcome before these approaches can be extensively utilized, such as the high cost of transportation and disposal of sludge. In addition, the potential environmental impacts of recycling and reusing grinding sludge need to be further investigated.