When grinding, excessive heat generation due to improper conditions can lead to which defect?

Excessive heat generation during the grinding process can significantly affect the material properties of the workpiece. When grinding is performed under improper conditions, such as using a dull wheel, excessive feed rate, or insufficient coolant, it can lead to localized heating of the workpiece. This overheating can cause the surface of the material to go through thermal cycling, resulting in microstructural changes and cracks, which are known as heat checks.

Heat checking refers specifically to the formation of small cracks on the surface of a workpiece due to thermal stress. This defect can compromise the integrity of the component and may lead to further issues, as these cracks can propagate over time, especially under mechanical load or stress. It is crucial in grinding operations to manage the temperature effectively by ensuring the right conditions, such as using sharp grinding wheels and adequate coolant application, to minimize the risk of heat checking.

Other defects like dimensional inaccuracy and surface roughness can also occur through improper grinding conditions, but they do not specifically stem from heat generation as heat checking does. Undercutting, while being a potential concern in machining processes, is not directly related to the thermal issues caused during grinding.