Self-Propagating Pressure-Less Sintering Metal-Bonded Diamond Grinding Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing metal-bonded diamond grinding wheels, such as cold compression molding-sintering, hot compression molding-sintering, and semi-hot compression molding-sintering, face issues like high energy consumption, low production efficiency, and poor mechanical performance due to the need for external pressure and heat, which limits the size and quantity of products and hinders the formation of a strong carbide layer for improved bonding.

Innovation Solution

The development of a metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel prepared by self-propagating pressure-less sintering, using a metal bond comprising Cu, Al, Ti, Ni, Sn, and Co, which initiates an exothermic reaction to densify the grinding wheel without external loads, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective process that forms a strong carbide layer for enhanced bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cold compression molding-sintering is used, then the grinding wheel can be manufactured without external pressure during sintering, but the sintering time is long (1-2 hours) and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesintering process simplicityVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the metal bond system by introducing reactive metal powders (Al, Ti, Ni) that can undergo exothermic reactions. This transforms the sintering process from a slow thermal diffusion process to a rapid self-heating chemical reaction process, reducing sintering time from 1-2 hours to just several minutes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional thermal sintering mechanism with a chemical self-heating mechanism. Instead of relying on external heat sources and long thermal diffusion times, the metal bond system itself generates heat through exothermic reactions (Al-Ti, Al-Ni intermetallic compound formation), substituting the mechanical/thermal sintering system with a chemical energy release system that achieves rapid densification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If hot compression molding-sintering is used, then the densification speed is faster, but the product size is limited by the graphite mould (diameter ≤300 mm) and production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensification speedVSAvoidproduct size range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the constraint of the graphite mould from the sintering process by using pressure-less sintering. The exothermic reaction of the metal bond system provides sufficient heat and pressure internally, eliminating the need for external graphite moulds that limit product size. This allows manufacturing of grinding wheels with diameters exceeding 300 mm while maintaining fast densification speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal bond system serves itself by generating the heat and pressure needed for sintering through its own exothermic reactions. The reactive metal powders (Al, Ti, Ni) react to form intermetallic compounds and release heat, which automatically densifies the compact without requiring external compression equipment or moulds, thereby removing size limitations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional metal bond systems (Cu-Sn, Ni-Cu-Sn, Al-Cu) are used, then the sintering process is stable, but the binding force between bond and diamond is insufficient due to lack of carbide formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesintering process stabilityVSAvoidbond-diamond binding force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite metal bond system combining Cu (for stability and ductility) with reactive metals Al, Ti, and Ni (for carbide formation). The Cu matrix provides process stability while the reactive metals form strong carbide layers with diamond surfaces during exothermic reactions, achieving both stable sintering and strong bonding simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical reactivity parameters of the metal bond by adding strong carbide-forming elements (Ti, Al, Ni). These elements have high affinity for carbon and form stable carbides (TiC, Al4C3, Ni3C) that strongly bond to diamond surfaces. The controlled addition of these reactive elements maintains sintering stability while dramatically improving bond-diamond interface strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If strong carbide formers are added to the metal bond to improve binding force, then the bonding strength increases, but a high temperature of 1200°C is required which causes diamond graphitization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond-diamond binding forceVSAvoidsintering temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful high temperature requirement into a benefit by utilizing the exothermic heat from Al-Ti and Al-Ni intermetallic compound reactions. These reactions release sufficient heat locally to form carbides at temperatures below 900°C, preventing diamond graphitization while achieving strong carbide layer formation. The heat that would otherwise be harmful is now the driving force for carbide formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces energy consumption, increases production efficiency, and improves the binding force and mechanical performance of the grinding wheel, leading to higher grinding efficiency and extended product life.

Implementation Method 1

using a metal bond comprising Cu, Al, Ti, Ni, Sn, and Co, which initiates an exothermic reaction to densify the grinding wheel without external loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

self-propagating pressure-less sintering, which reduces energy consumption, increases production efficiency, and improves the binding force and mechanical performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-propagating pressure-less sintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 3

forms a strong carbide layer for enhanced bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbide formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9211633B2Metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel prepared by self-propagating pressure-less sintering and a preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2015.12.15 ZHENGZHOU SHINE MORE SUPERABRASIVES

AI summary

The invention discloses a metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel prepared by self-propagating pressure-less sintering and a preparation method thereof. The metal bonded diamond grinding wheel mainly comprises a working layer and a non-working layer, wherein the working layer comprises metal bond and grinded diamond, the non-working layer is metal bond, and the metal bond in the working layer and non-working layer have the same components that comprise metal powders of Cu, Al, Ni, Ti, Sn, and Co. To prepare the metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel prepared by self-propagating pressure-less sintering solves the problems of high energy consumption and low manufacture efficiency in the current sintering processes of the metal bonded diamond grinding wheel, and improves the binding force of the metal bond to the grinded diamond by forming carbides between the bond and the grinded diamond.