Polishing Steel Alloys
Steel alloys are highly valued in medical applications such as dental implants and orthopaedic surgery due to their excellent mechanical properties, durability, and biocompatibility. The use of stainless steel alloys in medical implants is common because of their superior corrosion resistance and low risk of infection. Additionally, they are cost-effective and relatively easy to manufacture and test. However, to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of steel alloy implants, they must undergo a process known as lapping and polishing. Lapping and polishing are crucial steps in the manufacturing process that remove surface irregularities, burrs, and scratches and result in a highly polished and smooth surface.
The lapping and polishing process involves the use of specialised machinery that utilises abrasive particles to grind and smooth the surface of the implant. One such machine is the Kemet SpheriMatch machine. This machine is designed to be highly precise and accurate, producing a uniform and consistent finish. The machine uses a range of abrasive particles and polishing compounds that are tailored to the specific type of steel alloy being processed.
The benefits of lapping and polishing steel alloy implants are numerous. A highly polished surface reduces the risk of corrosion and bacterial growth, which can lead to implant failure or infection. Additionally, a smooth surface can reduce the friction between the implant and the surrounding tissue, leading to a more comfortable and successful implantation. Furthermore, a polished surface can enhance the aesthetic appearance of the implant, which can be important in cosmetic applications such as dental implants.
Lapping and Polishing Steel alloy
Test Requirements: To develop a process to polish a spherical cap
Equipment used: Kemet SpheriMatch machine, NLH cloth, 3 micron type k slurry, Customised lap, 15” pressure weight, Co42 cleaning fluid
Process breakdown: To perform lapping and polishing on a steel alloy spherical cap, several pieces of equipment are needed. These include the Kemet SpheriMatch machine, NLH cloth, 3 micron type k slurry, a customised lap, a 15” pressure weight, and Co42 cleaning fluid. The first step in the process is to fix the spherical cap onto the 15” pressure weight using foam tape. The pressure weight is then placed into the jaws of the SpheriMatch chuck and tightened using a key. Next, the customised lap is placed on the sweep arm and positioned to cover half the area of the cap, with the sweep length adjusted to give a slight sweep of about 10mm. The machine is then run for 10-minute cycles while 3 micron type k slurry is applied every 2 minutes from a trigger spray. The process is repeated for around 6 cycles until the desired finish is achieved. Finally, the part is cleaned with Co42 cleaning fluid. After polishing the steel alloy cap using this process, the surface is smooth and polished to a high degree, making it suitable for use as an implant in the human body. The lapping and polishing process ensures that the implant is free of any rough edges or imperfections that could cause irritation or other complications.
The lapping and polishing process is a critical step in the manufacturing of steel alloy implants. It ensures that the implants are of the highest quality, and have the necessary characteristics required for medical applications. A highly polished and smooth surface enhances the performance and longevity of the implant, reduces the risk of infection and corrosion, and improves the aesthetic appearance of the implant. Therefore, it is important to use specialised machinery such as the Kemet SpheriMatch machine to achieve a high degree of accuracy and precision in the lapping and polishing process.
After Polishing Steel Alloy Cap
