Analysis of the polymeric abrasive paste regeneration for abrasive flow machining

Abstract

The influence of conditions and the sifting process efficiency of the worn-out polymeric abrasive paste containing silica (SiO2) and polymer chips remaining after the surface treatment were investigated. The abrasive paste regeneration process consisted of sifting the used paste through sievesof a vibrating screen, on which abrasive grains and polymer chips were recovered. The diameter of the sieve holes determined the size of the recovered abrasive grains and polymer chips, on the size of which the efficiency of the process depended. The lowest efficiency of the sifting process was obtained using a sieve with the holes diameter equal to the diameter of the grain and the polymer chips of thegiven fraction. The highest efficiency of the sifting process was obtained for a sieve with a diameter of 0.032 mm. The regenerated polymeric abrasive paste can be reused in the process of abrasive flow machining.