The origins of residual stresses in ground surfaces were reviewed and investigated through thermal performance of grinding. It was found that thermal stresses generated in the grinding process were the primary cause of tensile residual stresses. Thermally induced residual stresses are strongly dependent on workpiece material properties. Yield stress is one of the most important factors. A method is described to characterize the onset temperature for tensile residual stress. The boundary of the transitional temperature for tensile residual stress is established depending on the grinding conditions. Some critical transitional temperatures are given for different steels.
