Material removal in the optical polishing of hydrophilic polymer materials

The optical polishing of hydrophilic polymer materials is a complex process that requires a comprehensive setting of various operating parameters. Based on a series of experimental investigations and dimensional analysis, this paper presents a simple empirical equation to evaluate material removal in the polishing of optical spherical surfaces of hydrophilic polymer materials. It is shown that the polishing load applied governs the material removal, the relative sliding velocity and the sliding distance between the workpiece and polishing tool surfaces. The equation also offers a good reference for the setting of the polishing variables. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.