The Complete Guide to Lapping in Machining

Lapping is a widely used process for achieving high levels of surface quality and precision in industrial manufacturing. The process involves the use of a lapping plate that is covered with abrasive particles, which are then used to remove material from the surface of the workpiece. The efficiency and effectiveness of the lapping process depend on a variety of factors, including the material of the lapping plates, the abrasives and lubricating fluids, and the relative speed at which the process is carried out.

Key Parameters to Consider in the Lapping Process

Lapping Process Motion: Understanding the Types and Their Impact

The motion type in the lapping process is crucial for ensuring processing accuracy. The most common motion type is the ring method, which involves placing workpieces inside a rotating ring set properly between the center of the lapping plate. This method allows for control over the amount of lapping plate abrasion and conditioning of the shape (concave, convex or saddle) of the lapping plate.

Double-sided lapping is another type of motion in the lapping process. It simultaneously laps both sides of the workpieces housed in carriers (wafer holders) that are placed symmetrically on the lapping plate, allowing the workpieces to have the same trajectories. Double-sided lapping works better on thicker workpieces as it has the helpful effect of minimizing the thickness variations and parallelism mistakes of the workpieces.

Lapping Plate

The lapping plate is one of the main factors in the lapping process. The surface accuracy and material of the lapping plate are critical. Cast iron lapping plates consist of hard cementite and relatively soft ferrite, making them very beneficial to lapping as they can ease unevenness of abrasive size. Composite lapping plates, on the other hand, are typically made from a mixture of synthetic resins, metal particles, and key bonding/hardening, resulting in improved performance and durability compared to cast iron lapping plates.

The lapping plate surface can also be grooved, such as crosscut, concentric circle, and spiral. These grooves are very effective not only in artificially creating functions similar to that of the cast iron plate but also in holding and supplying lapping slurries, discharging cutting chips, and deconcentrating the pressure distributions.

Lapping Slurry

Alumina (Al2O3) or silicon carbide (SiC) are used as lapping abrasives, as both are very hard with an efficient cutting action. Alumina abrasives are round-shaped with high toughness, making them hard to be crushed, whereas silicon carbide abrasives are easily crushed due to their sharp cutting edge.

In precision lapping applications, diamond slurries are often used as they offer several advantages over traditional abrasives such as Alumina or silicon carbide. Compared to conventional abrasives, diamond particles are harder and more robust, resulting in faster material removal and better surface finishing. Their particle size and shape are more uniform, which results in greater predictability and consistency of outcomes.

Diamond slurries are suspensions of diamond particles in a liquid medium, typically oil or water. As the workpiece is rubbed against it, the abrasive diamond particles in the slurry remove material from the workpiece.

The average size of the abrasives is proportional to the processing effectiveness and surface roughness of the workpiece. In general, the abrasives are gradually decreased in size as the lapping procedure progresses. This condition ensures excellent removal of the projected surface topographies and work-damaged layers created in the preceding processes so that the predetermined shape of the workpieces can be obtained.

The lapping slurry's reagents function to evenly disperse and lubricate the abrasives, allowing them to roll and transfer the cutting chips out. Oil or oil-based water solutions are used when the removal actions of the abrasives need

Mechanical Lapping Conditions: Understanding Processing Characteristics and Optimization Techniques

Processing Characteristics of Mechanical Lapping

There are several important processing characteristics that must be considered when carrying out mechanical lapping. These include the removal rate, lapping friction, surface roughness, and the formation of processed-damaged layers.

Removal Rate

The removal rate is a critical parameter in mechanical lapping and refers to the amount of material that is removed from the surface of the workpiece per unit time. The removal rate is influenced by several factors, including the size, type, and density of the abrasives used, as well as the relative speed (rotation number, drive distance) of the lapping plate. The removal rate can be calculated using Preston's formula:

(Stock removal) = α x (processing pressure) x (relative speed) x (processing time)

The value of the parameter α in the equation relies on various conditions such as the size, type, and density of the abrasives.

Lapping Friction

Lapping friction is another important parameter in mechanical lapping and refers to the resistance that the workpiece experiences as it moves over the lapping plate. The level of lapping friction is affected by the mechanical properties of the workpiece. Generally, harder workpieces tend to experience higher levels of friction. Increasing the processing pressure can also lead to an increase in lapping friction. This is because an increase in processing pressure leads to a greater number of acting abrasives, which in turn leads to an increase in the cutting depth of the abrasives. Nevertheless, once the processing pressure surpasses a specific threshold, the removal action of the workpiece hits its crushing limit and the processing friction becomes constant.

Surface Roughness

Surface roughness is an important consideration in mechanical lapping as it determines the quality of the final product. The surface roughness is influenced by the size and type of abrasives used, the processing pressure, and the relative speed of the lapping plate. Generally, a higher processing pressure and a lower relative speed lead to a smoother surface finish.

Processed-Damaged Layers

Processed-damaged layers are areas of the workpiece that have been damaged during the lapping process. These layers are caused by the pressure and friction that are exerted on the workpiece during lapping. The formation of processed-damaged layers can have a negative impact on the performance of the workpiece, particularly in applications where precision and surface quality are critical.

Here are some key guidelines that can assist you in achieving the desired finish during the lapping process:

To achieve the desired finish in the lapping process, the lapping plate should be softer than the part being lapped.

The abrasive in a compound should have the same hardness as the metal being lapped to prevent stronger abrasives from embedding in softer materials. For soft metals, non-embedding or non-charging compounds such as garnet abrasives should be used, while harder metals require harder abrasives.

A high lap speed increases stock removal, but excessive pressure can score the part.

Increasing pressure on the part against the lap will speed up the cut.

Serrated or grooved lapping plates are best for flat surfaces with large areas and for flat areas with holes. Laps with no serration or grooves are recommended for cylindrical lapping.

To measure flat lapped surfaces accurately, a mirror polish is necessary using an optical flat and monochromatic light.

Abrasives mixed with an oily paste or greasy vehicle produce better results than using fluid oils and abrasives alone.

Diamond paste is the best option for lapping tungsten carbide, while boron carbide abrasive can abrade the metal but does not provide the same finish as diamond paste.

A gray or frost-like surface can be as smooth and accurate as a bright finish, which does not necessarily indicate that a surface is smooth.

A polished surface is harder to produce than a gray matte finish and shows scratches more readily.

A soft lapping plate cuts faster than a hard one, lasts longer, and produces a brighter surface. A hard lap cuts slowly, wears faster, and produces a dull finish, but its lapping accuracy is greater.

Thin workpieces can be lapped parallel but not necessarily flat.

It is not recommended to use varying abrasive types or grit sizes simultaneously on a single plate, and it is suggested to use separate plates for roughing and finishing procedures.

Brightness does not indicate flatness, and a matte finish can be just as smooth and accurate as a bright finish.

Fine abrasive grit sizes do not guarantee fine finishes. Coarser abrasives abrade and remove the desired amount of stock, breaking down the abrasive granules into inert-sized particles that produce the desired finish.

To obtain the final finish, loose abrasive on the plate should be avoided, and embedded abrasive granules and a thin lubricant should be used on the surface of the plate.

For soft metal parts like brass or bronze running seals, non-embedding abrasives are recommended.

When the Rockwell C hardness surpasses 64, diamond paste is recommended for lapping tungsten carbide or other metals.

How to Correct Lapping Plate Issues

Flatness is a critical characteristic in the manufacturing industry, especially in the production of high-precision components. The flatness of a surface is defined as the degree to which it deviates from being perfectly flat. Any variations from a flat surface can affect the quality of the products produced, leading to increased costs and reduced productivity. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the flatness of the surfaces used in manufacturing processes.

One of the primary methods for maintaining the flatness of surfaces is through lapping plates. Lapping plates are precision surfaces that are used to flatten and finish workpieces. These plates are typically made of cast iron, and over time, their flatness may be affected by wear and tear, leading to either concave or convex surfaces.

Concave Lapping Plate correction

Correcting concave lapping plates involves moving all conditioning rings outward and starting the lapping machine while applying Kemox HSR abrasive slurry. The slurry should be placed between the conditioning rings, and their rotation will draw the abrasive to the outer area of the Kemet plate. It is essential to check the plate's flatness at regular five-minute intervals until the correction rate has been established. This is because correcting concave surfaces can be much faster than correcting convex surfaces. It is also possible to go past the flat condition to the convex, so it is crucial to monitor the plate's condition closely.

Convex Lapping Plate correction

Remove one of the lapping machines conditioning rings. Position the ring or rings towards the center of the plate, ensuring that a ring glides just over the outer edge to prevent the formation of a step during the conditioning process. Fill the machine's abrasive system with the appropriate slurry, depending on the desired stock removal. Kemox HSR offers the highest stock removal at 29 micrometers, Kemox 400 provides 23 micrometers, and Kemox 800 yields 14 micrometers. Initiate the machine and allow the mixture to slowly drip onto the Kemet Plate. This technique can effectively rectify a 15 or 24-inch diameter Kemet Lapping Plate, reducing its convexity by 0.005-0.01mm every 20 minutes. If a plate is significantly convex, it is advisable to consider having it turned or re-machined.

Issues with Parallelism?

To lap parts parallel, ensure that the lapping plate is flat. Ensure the machines hand pressure weight is also lapped flat on the plate. Avoid using felt pads or non-skid-faced weights. For best results, lap an uneven number of parts, such as three, five, or seven, and use dummy parts to make up the number. Turn parts over and lap at least three times using only short lapping cycles. Check parallelism and flatness regularly, and ensure that special fixtures used are balanced for weight.

Scratched Components Solution

Scratches on components during lapping can result from various factors. To avoid this, ensure that the correct type of Kemet plate is being used, with Kemet Copper XP and Kemet Tin being the most popular polishing plates. Use the correct grade Kemet liquid diamond, with micron sizes 6 and below being considered polishing grades. Avoid using a plate that is too wet. Use "just moist" Kemet plates for the best polishing results. If polishing soft materials like brass, copper, aluminum, or soft steel, consider a two-stage process, finishing with a polishing cloth such as Type ASFL-AW and 1 or 3 micron Kemet liquid diamond. Also, ensure that ceramic or plastic-faced conditioning rings are used when using a polishing cloth, as cast iron rings can cause scratching. Use the polishing machine in a suitable working environment, away from grinding and other similar machines. Ensure that parts are clean before lapping and cleaned between lapping operations to avoid cross-contamination. Finally, ensure that parts are demagnetized after grinding.

How to Select the Appropriate Kemet Plate and Abrasive for Lapping or Polishing Different Materials

The information presented below is solely intended as a guide. We recommend that you send your parts to Kemet for testing to determine the appropriate lapping plate and abrasive media that are best suited for your specific parts, before moving forward.

L = Typical Lapping Plate and Kemet Diamond Micron Size
P = Typical Polishing Plate and Kemet Micron Size
P* = Mirror finish polish
PP = Prepolish

C = Cerium Oxide
* = Kemox 0-800 Abrasive
+ = No Abrasive Required

Material	Plate Type
Material	ASFL-A Pol. Cloth	Col-K	Kemet LP	Kemet XF	Kemet XP	Kemet Copper	Kemet PR3	Kemet BP	Kemet Iron	Cast Iron
Altic				P < 1μ		L 6μ				L 6μ
Aluminum	P 3μ	P*								L *
Brass	P 3μ					P 3μ				L *
Technical Ceramic					P 3μ				L 6μ	L 14μ
Carbon						P 3μ			L 6μ	L *
Ferrite				P 1μ	P 3μ				L 8μ
Ni Resist	P 3μ									L *
Plastics	P 3μ									L*
Hard Steel	P 3μ	P*			P 3μ	P 3μ			L 14μ
Soft Steel	P 3μ					P 3μ			L 14μ	L *
Mold Steel	P 3μ	P*				P 3μ				L *
Sapphire								P 1μ
Silicon Carbide					P 3μ				L 14μ
Stellite	P 3μ	P*			P 3μ					L*
Tungsten Carbide	P 3μ				P 3μ			P 3μ	L 14μ	L 14μ
Stainless Steel	P 3μ	P*					P 6μ
Optics							C 1μ
Cobalt Chrome		P*	L 10μ			PP 6μ			L 14μ
Titanium		P*	L 10μ			PP 6μ			L14μ