Effect of CBN surface coating on properties of abrasive and vitrified CBN composites

The advantages of CBN abrasive and vitrified bonds allow the wide use of vitrified CBN grinding tools. However, their properties can be affected by various factors such as vitrification itself and binding between vitrified bond and abrasive grains. In view of this, the current work aims to improve the binding characteristics of vitrified bond and abrasive grains by elucidating the effect of CBN surface coating. In particular, the thermal properties of typical nickel and titanium coated abrasive grains were compared with those of ordinary abrasive grains. Furthermore, the strength, microstructure and phase composition of vitrified CBN composites were studied as well. According to the results, the thermal stability of abrasive grains decreased after coating processing. However, applying the vitrified CBN composite material and sintering, if appropriable, was shown to ensure protection of the abrasive grains. Moreover, as an intermediate transition layer, the bonding properties of vitrified bond and abrasive grains can be improved to some extent. Finally, the vitrified Ti-coated CBN composite was found to possess the best performance.