Title: Rapid magneto-rheological finishing of Ti-6Al-4V for aerospace components

Authors: Takashi Sato; Chun Wai Kum; V.C. Venkatesh

Addresses: Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 638075, Singapore ' Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore ' University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 4505 South Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA

Abstract: Magneto-rheological finishing (MRF) is traditionally used as an ultra-precision surface finishing technique for optical components. Conventional rotating magnetic tool using relatively low viscosity media results in low material removal rate, therefore rendering it unfeasible for polishing of aerospace components. In this paper, a rapid-MRF process using highly magnetised MRF media by an original apparatus is introduced. The apparatus accumulates the highly viscous MRF media onto the finishing zone and allows in-process form maintenance of the media. Uniformity and efficiency of the rapid-MRF process is studied for freeform Ti-6Al-4V surface finishing.

Keywords: magnetorheological finishing; rapid MRF; surface finishing; freeform surfaces; titanium; aerospace components; component polishing; surface quality; optical components.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2013.057590

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2013 Vol.9 No.5/6, pp.431 - 445

Received: 06 Nov 2012
Accepted: 22 Feb 2013
Published online: 31 Mar 2014 *

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