In order t o examine g r i n d a b i l i t y , an analysis o f the complex system: process i n p u t values, g r i n d i n g process, workpiece q u a l i t y i s necessary. I t f o l l o w s from t h i s , t h a t a g r i n d a b i l i t y parameter must take very many c h a r a c t e r i s t i c process values i n t o consideration and therefore the g r i n d a b i l i t y cannot be characterized by one value specific t o the workmaterial.
Although the g r i n d i n g r a t i o o f f e r s no comprehensive evidence as t o the g r i n d i n g behaviour o f the d i f f e r e n t types o f s t e e l , i t i s o f t e n equated i n l i t e r a t u r e . This paper i s a summary o f the i n t e r r e l a t i o n s which have already been examined between material properties and the wear behaviour o f the wheel. The d i f f e r e n t structures and the chemical composition O f t h e mat e r i a l s lead t o t h e occurence, e i t h e r i n d i v i d u a l l y o r combined, o f various wear mechanisms. This explains the considerable differences i n g r i n d i n g r a t i o which soi!ietimes occur.
Information concerning heat influence and the occurence d u r i n g the g r i n d i n g process of thermally caused damage dependent on the material properties i s also given i n t h i s paper. ~ 1. Influence ~ o f process i n p u t values on the product ~~
The g r i n d i n g process i s a f f e c t e d by a very large number of widely varying parameters j l / . Unlike most o f these values which can be influenced, the workmaterial, which was selected i n view o f the properties required o f the f i n i s h e d product, cannot be altered. Therefore, i n order t o achieve a w e l l adjusted g r i n d i n g process the v a r i a b l e process i n p u t values ( F i adapted t o the material. Before t h i s can be* i t must be known how the g r i n d a b i l i t y o f the s t e e l a f f e c t s the g r i n d i n g process and therefore the product, and above a l l , the q u a l i t y o f the work piece. I n t h i s paper, the attempt i s made t o show the c o r r e l a t i o n s known as y e t between the properties o f the mat e r i a l and the g r i n d i n g process. The authors are sure t h a t they d i d n o t c o l l e c t and f i n d a l l the m a t e r i a l a v a i l a b l e t o t h i s subj e c tb u t the aim o f the group G was. t o s t a r t discussion on t h i s subject w i t h an i n i t i a t i n g paper.