Experimental Studies into the Super Finishing of Nitronic-60 by One - Way Extrusion Honing Process

Abstract: The surface requirements of engineering components used varies widely depending on where the components surface is being applied for. Fabrication of surfaces with desired characterises on materials possessing high hardness is the need of the hour to effectively overcome the contemporary application challenges. The required surface generation of these difficult to cut material possessing intricate and unable to reach geometries could not be met by conventional finishing processes. So, several non-conventional finishing processes have been developed over the years to meet the ever-growing requirements of the industry, among them, Extrusion Honing or Abrasive Flow Machining where a flexible media loaded with abrasive particles acting as cutting tool can be successfully used to fine finish the surface. In the present study, the abrasive loaded flexible cutting media is extruded using one-way extrusion honing process and the effect of this on the surface characterises of Nitronic-60 is studied. The surface roughness is examined using a stylus type surface measuring instrument and the surface texture of the specimen before and after the process is analysed using SEM images. The results shows a significant enhancement in surface finish using EH/AFM process and the process found quite capable in removing the surface irregularities and producing surface with enhanced overall surface integrity.