A magnetorheological polishing-based approach for studying precision microground surfaces of tungsten carbides

Surface features of tungsten carbide composites processed by bound abrasive deterministic microgrinding and magnetorheological finishing (MRF) were studied for five WC–Ni composites, including one binderless material. All the materials studied were nonmagnetic with different microstructures and mechanical properties. White-light interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the surfaces after various grinding steps, surface etching, and MRF spot-taking. It was found that the peak-to-valley (p–v) microroughness of the surface after microgrinding with rough or medium abrasive size tools gives a measure of the deformed layer depth. MRF spots revealed the true depth of the grinding-induced deformed surface layer.