BOOK NOTES

   This is the only book of its kind in abrasives technology pulling together information scattered in hundreds of technical papers and conference proceedings with new sections written by authors who are renowned experts in various aspects of abrasive technology. This 650-page illustrated book provides a detailed coverage of tribology principles for the most common abrasive processes. Includes discussions of kinematics with an emphasis upon grain distributions and abrasive materials from conventional aluminum oxide to new ceramic and superabrasive minerals. Sections on heat transfer will help engineers understand thermal stresses in grinding. A discussion of molecular dynamics simulation shows how tribology can provide a way to develop new abrasive processes and understand complex technologies such as CMP (chemical mechanical polishing). Another section compiles knowledge on the effects of fluids and the tribology of lubricants in grinding and other abrasive processes.

With the spotlight of machining in industry focused on processing down to nanometer dimensions, demand for new abrasive methods is growing and the study of tribology as applied to grinding is essential to developing new manufacturing methods and to find better ways of increasing precision says the authors. Tribology offers a means to improve predictablity of existing processes as well as maintain better control of production rates and surface quality of products for all industries.