Abrasive flow machining of the aluminium alloys

The constructive-technological features of aircraft details made of aluminium alloys are analyzed in this article. Conclusion about expediency of use the Abrasive Flow Machining for processing details with complex-profile and hard to get surface of such details is made. The features of the Abrasive Flow Machining and characteristic of the tool are considered. The design of the equipment for Abrasive Flow Machining is given. The purpose and research problems are determined. The technique of the experimental researches realization and used equipment is described. The research is carried out in two stages. The dependence of the scratch depth on the geometrical characteristics and kind of an abrasive grain at Abrasive Flow Machining of aluminium alloy details is investigated at the first stage. The experiment is carried out on the equipment simulating process of microcutting by individual abrasive grain. The received results allow to define a kind, abrasive granularity at each machining stage, and also previously to define required pressing force of individual abrasive grain to a machined surface. The possibility of using the Abrasive Flow Machining for aluminium alloys treatment is considered and checked experimentally up at the second stage. As the result the influence of work medium composition structure (granularity and abrasive concentration) on efficiency of treatment (intensity of metal cutting) is investigated. It allows choosing optimum granularity and concentration of abrasive in the medium. The quantity of operation cycles necessary for removal of a defective layer from details made by casting by the lost-wax process at use of a various kind of abrasive grains is determined. The recommendations at the choice of work medium composition and modes of the Abrasive Flow Machining for details from aluminium alloys are given. The further directions of researches are determined.