Investigation and characterization of grinding burn on a nitrided steel

Abstract Grinding process may lead to the occurrence of grinding burn. Indeed, when the temperature in the grinding area gets too high, it may result in visible surface damages of the workpiece. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to fully characterize and to quantify changes in the material after a grinding burn on a nitrided steel. These microstructural changes were quantified under several grinding conditions (dry and wet). Depending upon whether the grinding process was gentle or abusive, residual stresses, crystallographic texture, and hardness measurements were done. Metallurgical and microstructural changes have been observed on the workpiece. Then the Raman spectroscopy was used as an original nondestructive method to detect, quantify and explain the chemistry and the appearance of grinding burn.