Grindability Evaluation of Advanced Ceramics with AHP Approach

The hierarchy model for grindability evaluation of ceramics was set up. All influence factors of ceramic grindability can be considered together by application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. Material property parameters and grinding parameters were selected as evaluating factors to have a comprehensive estimation of ceramic grindability. Saaty 1-9 scales were applied to make comparison matrix by pairwise comparison of factors. Then weights of factors were calculated. The grindabilities of ceramics were evaluated by comparison of comprehensive values of grindability. SiC, Al2O3, Si3N4 and ZrO2 were evaluated with AHP approach as an example. Five influence factors, including hardness, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, grinding force and material removal rates, were selected for evaluation. Grindabilities of four ceramics, ranking form easy to difficult, are SiC, Al2O3, ZrO2 and Si3N4. The research shows that AHP approach is a reasonable and effective evaluation method for grindability of ceramics.