Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for treating grinding wheels and bonded abrasive tools. A process in accordance with an embodiment of this invention is a cryogenic thermal cycling process for grinding wheels and bonded abrasive tools. Grinding wheels and bonded abrasive tools treated by cryogenic thermal cycling processes in accordance with embodiments of this invention can exhibit improved performance and service life during comparison testing against untreated tools.
C21D 1/78 - Combined heat-treatments not provided for above
B22F 3/24 - After-treatment of workpieces or articles
C04B 41/00 - After-treatment of mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramicsTreatment of natural stone
B24D 3/00 - Physical features of abrasive bodies, or sheets, e.g. abrasive surfaces of special natureAbrasive bodies or sheets characterised by their constituents
B24D 18/00 - Manufacture of grinding tools, e.g. wheels, not otherwise provided for
Embodiments of the invention can provide cryogenic treatment processes for diamond abrasive tools. A process in accordance with an embodiment of this invention is a cryogenic thermal cycling process for abrasive tools that utilize diamond materials. The process can include introducing an abrasive tool into a cycling chamber, wherein the tool has a temperature of about ambient temperature: and introducing at least one cryogenic materia! into the cycling chamber, wherein the internal temperature of the cycling chamber or abrasive too) can be controlled by adjusting the How rate of the at least one cryogenic material. The process can further include decreasing the temperature of the cycling chamber or abrasive tool to a range from about -80 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to about -100 degrees F at a rate of about -0.5 to -10 degrees F per minute; and further decreasing the temperature of the cycling chamber or abrasive tool to a range from about -275 degrees F to about -325 degrees F at a rate of about -0.05 to -0.25 degrees F per minute. The process can also include increasing the temperature of the cycling chamber or abrasive tool to a range from about -8(1 degrees F to about -100 degrees F at a rate of about 0.05 to 0.25 degrees F per minute; and further increasing the temperature of the cycling chamber or abrasive tool to about ambient temperature at a rate of about 0.5 to 10 degrees F per minute, wherein the process results in a strengthened and toughened abrasive tool. The process can be repeated multiple times.
C21D 1/78 - Combined heat-treatments not provided for above
C21D 9/22 - Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articlesFurnaces therefor for drillsHeat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articlesFurnaces therefor for milling cuttersHeat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articlesFurnaces therefor for machine cutting tools
C30B 33/00 - After-treatment of single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure
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