Carbon Steel Balls : Stainless Steel Tumbling Media

Effects of Ball Burnishing Process with Stainless Steel Media

Expectations about manufacturing industries have increased in recent years. Different mechanical processes such as turning, milling, etc. they lead to surfaces with inherent irregularities. Therefore, manufacturing industries face the responsibility of finding improved finishing operations that nullify these effects and improve other properties in these materials.

Surface plastic deformation processes were created to solve these impediments. This process does not involve the removal of material, but rather deforms the surface plastically under compression load. Therefore, it is said that the surface of the component under this external load is subjected to cold work.

Burnishing is one of those techniques of surface plastic deformation. It has been around for a long time and has continued to gain general acceptance in today's manufacturing industry.

1. What is burnishing?

Burnishing is a process of surface modification through which smooth surface finishes are achieved. This is possible by planetary rotation of a tool on a turned surface board. In general, burnishing is a cold work process that softens, removes discoloration and polishes a metal surface in a glossy finish that is almost as good as new.

This specifically points to the peaks and valleys contained in all machines or other processed metal surfaces. The burnishing tool is applied with a calculated amount of force. This force drives the materials that until now were at the top to flow into the valleys. This effect will be a reduction in the height of the peak, as well as in the depth of the valley.

This method was first developed in the United States in the 1930s. The burnish was applied in an attempt to impart residual integral tension to layers of various metal parts, specifically the railroad, the automobile axle and the machinery axes. Over the years, it became widely accepted and has found applications in almost every industry in the world.

2. Types of burnishing

This process can be classified into different types according to the type of tool used, the geometry of the pieces in which it works, etc.

Taking into account the geometry of the tools used, the burnishing is further classified into two groups: ball burnishing and roller polishing. However, for the purpose of this article, we will consider ball burnishing, its definition, advantages and application in various industries and businesses in the world today.

Ball polishing: in this type of polishing, one or more spherical balls are supported on the rod by the hydraulic pressure of a fluid, a spring or the relative force of the workpiece. The ball is constantly in contact with the workpiece by means of fluid that circulates through a hydraulic pump. As the tool feeds along the workpiece, the ball is pressed against it, resulting in a burnishing operation.

Depending on the desired effect, the strength of the burnish can be controlled by varying the hydraulic pressure of the fluid.

3. Advantages of ball burnishing

This process allows to produce pieces with a high control over the dimension and allowing very precise sizes.
Produces a very smooth surface finish
It saves costs and is more economical compared to other polishing processes
Creates improvements in physical properties and increases the life of the components.

4. Benefits of ball burnishing with stainless steel media

Stainless steel media is particularly popular in surface finishing due to its superior characteristics. This has led him to become the most preferred and widely accepted in industries around the world.

Below are some inherent characteristics that make stainless steel media the most commonly used today:

Greater surface pressure and longer media life
Shortest Finnish Time
Improves the pre-plate finish
Reduces porosity in plated parts
Economic

4.1 Higher surface pressure and longer media life

If used under appropriate conditions, this medium can last a long time. Obviously, this is because it is not a worn out means of communication. It has a high hardness due to its composition of relatively resistant materials. This feature is excellent for various vibratory flipping applications.

In addition, there is a minimum generation of solid waste during this process. Steel that is a non-consumable medium is not used throughout the operation.

4.2 Shortest Finnish time

Stainless steel turning means are comparatively heavier than other materials used for this process. This substantial weight exerts greater pressure on a mass of components in the vibratory, barrel and flipping finishing equipment. The high surface contact achieved through increased pressure and resistance of the steel means works effectively to shorten the operating time.

4.3 Improves the pre-place finish

The parts that seem smooth are characterized by micro imperfections that cause coating problems. Due to the weight of the steel means, these small irregularities flatten, preparing a surface for a more satisfactory coating.

4.4 Reduces porosity in plated parts

When the plated parts are finished with steel turning means, a compacting action acts downward and extends across the entire surface of the softer plate to fill any "pinhead" hole. This eliminates porosity and causes an increase in corrosion resistance created by the coating process.

4.5 Profitable

The durability of stainless steel media is considered a capital advantage. The finish made with this medium generally lasts longer. The use of stainless steel shots versus plain steel means eliminates the need for rust inhibitors.

5. Success stories in the application of stainless steel burnishing

The burnishing of brass components has become an economical solution to repair the nicks, scrapes and scratches developed by manufacturing. Companies and companies continue to look for better ways to maximize profits and reduce costs. Therefore, they have resorted to polishing as a means through which they can, among other advantages, avoid wear, improve gloss and extend the life of parts and components of the machine.

a) Brass mounting parts

The brass adjustment parts before the ball polishing surface are opaque and dark. With the polishing of balls in stainless steel balls, the surface shines and is cleaned. This product is ready to deliver to the market.

c) Brass stamping parts

The left parts below are brass parts before ball polishing, and the right part is after ball polishing. After the turning process, the burrs in the drill hole are flattened. The dirt and oxidation layer is also removed.
These are some results of the application of stainless steel polishing processes.
Commercial polishing systems have proven useful in extending the shelf life of restaurant businesses.
Restoration of beauty and brightness in parts and components used in the automotive industry.
Improvement in parts used in aeronautical industries.
Repair and restore cutlery and crockery
Repair and restore metal plates and a large number of other applications.

6. Conclusion

In this article, we discuss the concept of burnishing and two types of burnishing techniques, which include ball polishing and roller polishing. In mass finishing, we focus on ball burnishing and its advantages. Stainless steel turning means are the most used means in the ball polishing process.

Later, we list 5 benefits for the process. Finally, we give an example of how the ball polishing process improves the surface conditions of the metal parts.

If you have any questions or need help finishing the surface of the parts, do not hesitate to contact us or simply send an email.

Carbon Steel Balls

Stainless Steel Tumbling Media