To establish a prediction model for the surface quality of silicon nitride ceramic balls under the conical grinding method, and to analyze the influence mechanism of different working conditions on the surface quality under this grinding method. A simulation prediction model of the grinding quality of the surface of silicon nitride ceramic balls was established based on MATLAB, through which the three-dimensional morphology and roughness of the surface of silicon nitride ceramic balls were simulated and analyzed. With the increase in abrasive particle size, the abrasive concentration decreases, the surface roughness of the processed silicon nitride ceramic ball increases accordingly, the number of scratches produced by the abrasive particles on the surface of the ceramic ball after scratching and rolling and its peak/valley difference rises accordingly, and the proportion of surface defects such as bumps, craters, and directional scratches per unit area of the grind surface layer increases, and the surface quality decreases significantly. This paper plays an important role in the prediction of surface quality of silicon nitride ceramic ball grinding and the formulation of process methods.

Keywords: Silicon nitride ceramic ball, Conical grinding method, Prediction model, Surface topography, Roughness.