The importance of polishing in the production of precision ceramic parts

Polishing plays an important role in the manufacturing of precision ceramic parts industry, where it plays a key role in the quality, performance and appearance of the final product. Polishing is to remove surface defects, burrs, particles and other non-uniformity, so that the ceramic surface is more flat and smooth to further improve the appearance quality of ceramic products.

Polishing can have an impact on the following aspects of precision ceramic parts:

① Surface finish: It can remove the roughness and non-uniformity of the surface of the ceramic material, so that the surface can achieve a higher finish. This is critical for applications such as optical components, laser components, semiconductor materials, etc., because the surface finish directly affects the optical performance and precision. For example, the importance of polishing for optical ceramics is self-evident.
Size and shape accuracy: to help ceramic products achieve higher size and shape accuracy. By controlling the processing parameters and technology in the polishing process, the precise machining and fine tuning of ceramic products can be realized to ensure that they meet the design requirements.
③ Surface flatness: eliminate the bumps and depressions on the surface of ceramic products to improve the surface flatness. The improvement of the surface flatness can reduce the contact pressure and friction between the abrasive and the product surface, and reduce the wear and abrasive cutting effect on the ceramic. Therefore, polished ceramic products with a more flat surface usually have better wear resistance. This is critical for applications that require highly flat surfaces such as precision mechanical parts, sealing elements, etc., to ensure their performance and reliability.
④ Surface quality and wear resistance: polishing can improve the surface quality of ceramic products, making them more smooth and delicate. Smooth surfaces reduce frictional resistance and adhesion, reducing wear and abrasive damage. Polishing can also eliminate the microscopic sharp edges and roughness of the surface, reduce the embedding and scraping of particles, and improve wear resistance. This is particularly important for some applications that require wear resistance and fatigue resistance, such as ceramic bearings and ceramic tools.

What processing skills need attention in the polishing process?

In the polishing process, there are several key factors that need to be considered and controlled, including the following processing parameters and process technology:

① Selection of polishing media and abrasives: It is very important to select polishing media and abrasives suitable for specific ceramic materials. Different ceramic materials may have different requirements for the properties of polishing media and abrasives. For example, factors such as hardness, particle size and shape need to be selected according to the characteristics of the ceramic to obtain the best polishing effect.

Precision ceramic parts products commonly used polishing media are the following:
Polishing paste: A dense paste, usually consisting of a particle and a lubricant. It is widely used in hand polishing and application-specific polishing processes, such as hand polishing the surface of ceramic devices.
Abrasive fluid: A liquid in which abrasive particles are suspended. It is usually used in the wet polishing process, polishing by matching the appropriate grinding equipment, such as rotating disks, vibrating disks, etc. The abrasive fluid provides a uniform abrasive distribution for a more precise finish.
Polishing paper: Paper or film with abrasive particles, often used for hand polishing and polishing of small areas of ceramic products. It has different particle size and viscosity, and can be selected according to the needs of the appropriate polishing paper to achieve different precision polishing effects.
Commonly used abrasives are silicon carbide abrasives, alumina abrasives, diamond abrasives, etc.

(2) Polishing pressure and speed: The pressure applied to the surface of the ceramic product and the moving speed of the polishing head during the polishing process are key parameters. Proper polishing pressure and speed can achieve surface finish and flatness while avoiding excessive wear or thermal damage. These parameters need to be adjusted and optimized according to the specific ceramic materials and requirements.
③ Polishing time and cycle: this refers to the time and number of cycles of ceramic products exposed to polishing media and abrasives during the polishing process. Appropriate polishing times and cycles can achieve the desired surface quality and precision. Too short a time may not achieve the desired polishing effect, while too long a time may lead to excessive wear or surface damage.
pH value and temperature of the polishing liquid: this factor can affect the chemical reaction and stripping effect during the polishing process. Proper pH and temperature can provide better surface quality and polishing efficiency. These parameters need to be adjusted and controlled according to the specific polishing material and process requirements.
⑤ Polishing tool selection and design: Choosing the right polishing tool (such as polishing head, polishing disc, etc.) and its design parameters (such as shape, hardness, size, etc.) is crucial to the effect of the polishing process. The polishing tool should be matched with the ceramic material and have the appropriate stiffness and surface characteristics to ensure a good polishing effect and consistency.

Is polishing the last step in the production process of precision ceramic parts?

Whether polishing is the last step depends on the specific requirements of the precision ceramic parts product and the design of the production process. In actual production, it is necessary to determine the position and order of polishing according to the characteristics and needs of the product, combined with the process technology and quality control requirements. The specific manufacturing process may vary depending on the type of product, requirements and manufacturing methods.
In cases where the purpose is to improve the surface quality, finish and optical properties of ceramic products, polishing is generally the last step. Polishing can remove defects, burrs, particles, etc. formed during the manufacturing process, making the surface more flat and smooth.
Some precision ceramic parts products may require special surface treatment, such as coating, coating, spraying, etc. In this case, polishing may take place prior to these treatments to prepare the surface suitable for subsequent treatment. For some precision ceramic part products that require very high precision, multiple processing steps, including polishing, may be required. In this case, polishing may take place in between other machining steps to gradually achieve the desired precision.

In addition, depending on the specific product and application area, other subsequent processing steps may be involved, such as cleaning, coating, inspection, etc. The sequence and combination of these steps may vary depending on the requirements of the product and the characteristics of the manufacturing process.