Abstract:Flexible contact polishing methods based on rheological principle, which can transform phase to form flexible polishing heads by controlling the auxiliary field conditions, are 'gentle' polishing processes. They can meet the high shape precision and surface integrity required for complex shaped products. The material removal function can visually describe the surface profile of the polished workpiece and is the key to the deterministic material removal. The current representative

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... le contact polishing methods such as magnetorheological finishing, electrorheological polishing, magnetorheological jet polishing and shear thickening polishing are reviewed. The material removal models based on different theories are reviewed. The main influencing parameters of each model are analyzed and the characteristics of each model are compared. The probable further research trend of flexible contact polishing method and its material removal model is forecasted.