The effect of superfinishing conditions on surface roughness of hardened unalloyed steel

Modern technologies are executed by machining difficult-to-cut materials, which include, above all, nickel, titanium, magnesium alloys, austenitic steel or hardened steel. With the development of technology, machine elements are increasingly demanding in terms of their reliability, accuracy and durability. One of the main features of the technological quality of machine parts is their wear resistance, which is most often determined by the properties of their surface layer. Appropriate properties of the surface layer of machine parts are most often shaped in machining, often preceded by heat or thermo-chemical treatment. Significant impact on the wear resistance of cooperating machine parts have, among others their surface roughness. One of the finishing methods that allows obtain a surface layer with favorable performance properties is oscillatory superfinishing, which aims to give a high smoothness to the outer surface of the workpiece. Superfinishing is mainly used after thorough turning or grinding. Superfinishing process is based on the fact that the surface of the workpiece is aligned whetstone. The whetstone are performed a feed motion and vibration motion at the appropriate frequency. The workpiece rotates around its axis with circumferential speed. The paper presents a research on the impact on the conditions of the superfinishing process on the surface roughness of shafts made of hardened C45 steel.