Feasibility of using textured die to improve or replace lubrication In microforming

• Main Author: Li, Joshua Fuhua.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Machine shop and drawings
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45981
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The viability of using textured die to control friction in microforming was examined. A series of reciprocating ball on flat tribotests were carried out to simplify the approach of examining the friction behavior from an actual microforming setup. JIS SKD11 tool steel plate was used as the flat material and different surface textures were introduced on its surface by directional grinding. AISI E52100 Chrome Steel was used as ball material. The process parameters considered include the contact pressure, normal load, sliding speed, reciprocating distance and total sliding distance in the form of test duration. Observations from the experiment include the coefficient of friction (COF) reading and wear severity. It is found that as normal load increases, wear rate increases which can be the proximate indicator of shorter tool life in the long run. It is also found that generally an increase in surface roughness gives rise to higher COF. As immediate conclusion, the current surface textures which were produced by directional grinding was not able to provide satisfying textures which are able to work as friction control and lower the COF.