Evaluating the impact of corrosion inhibitors on grinding process efficiency

The grinding process is widely used in industry because it provides surface finishing, dimensional, and geometric precision. However, the conventional flood lubricooling method harms operator health and the environment. As a result, alternative methods with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) have emerged. While these methods show promise, they lack auxiliary systems like wheel cleaning jet (WCJ) and cooled wheel cleaning jet (CWCJ). Thus, this study aims to enhance alternative methods by analyzing the grinding of hardened AISI 4340 steel using four lubricooling fluids: Base fluid, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI), VCI Low Cost (VCI LC), and VCI Extreme Pressure (VCI EP). Collected parameters include surface roughness, roundness error, wheel wear, grinding power, pollution, and cost. A profilometer analyzed the machined surfaces and grinding wheel. Results show corrosion inhibitors can improve workpiece quality but exhibit divergent outcomes across different parameters.