Study on deburring and shape control of stainless steel knife edge by ion beam machining

Forming the cutting edge of stainless steel cutlery is generally carried out by grinding wheel and polishing with leather strop. Nanometcr-level shape controllability of the edge in the polishing process is strongly required for better cutting performance. In order to achieve stably high shape accuracy of cutting edge, high technical skill has been needed, considering the wear of lather strop and the changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, In this study, deburring and shape control of cutting edge by ion beam machining were experimentally investigated as an alternative to the conventional leather strop polishing. Experimental results clarified that ion beam irradiation from the front to the edge made the edge shape dull, while that from the side made it sharp. By continuously changing the direction of ion beam irradiation to the edge, the burr was perfectly removed and the edge radius in several nm was successfully obtained. Furthermore, the cutting performance was highly improved by plasma nitriding after the edge finishing with the multi-directional ion beam irradiation, compared with that of conventionally finished one with leather strop.