The key components applied in the aerial and aerospace fields are often made of high-performance materials that are always difficult to machine

which has become a bottle-neck problem hindering the development of related industries due to the lack of high-efficiency and high-quality machining methods for these materials. In this paper

high-speed grinding (HSG) is proposed to solve the problems with conventional machining of titanium alloys

nickel-based superalloys

reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RB–SiC)

and aluminum silicon carbide metal matrix composite (SiCp/Al). The surface integrity of different materials after grinding at various conditions are characterized

analyzed

and discussed. The results show that HSG can increase the workpiece surface strain gradient and temperature gradient

reduce the depth of subsurface damage

as well as improve grindability and grinding efficiency for difficult-to-machine metals

ceramics

and composites. The exploratory research in this paper provides a feasible technical route for high-efficiency and high-quality machining of difficult-to-machine materials for broad application prospects in aerial and aerospace fields.