The abrasive material used in the wheel is one influence on cut rate and consumable life .Cutting wheels typically contain a few different materials — primarily the grains that do the cutting, the bonds that hold the grains in place, and the fiberglass that reinforces the wheels.
The grains within the abrasive of a cutting wheel are the particles that perform the cutting.
Wheels come in several grain options, such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, zirconium, ceramic alumina, single aluminum, white aluminum and combinations of these materials.
Aluminum oxide, Zirconia aluminum and Ceramic alumina are most common abrasive grains.
Aluminum oxide: Aluminum Oxide is the most common & least expensive. Good starting point for most metal and steel. Aluminum Oxide is usually brown or reddish in color, but can be blue, green or yellow (which usually indicates the presence of a grinding aid/lubricant). It is durable with tough cutting edges, but it dulls during use. Aluminum Oxide is available in grits 24-600
Zirconia alumina: Zirconium provides superior cutting for steel, structural steel, iron, and other metals, and it is ideal for rail cutting and other heavy-duty applications. It offers a fast cut and a long life and holds up under extreme pressure. Zirconia is usually green or blue in color. Works best under high pressure (which is required for the grain to fracture exposing new sharp edges). It has large fracture planes and it self-sharpens as it cuts. Zirconia is available in grits 24-180.
Ceramic alumina: Ceramic alumina performs exceptionally well on steel, stainless steel, and other hard-to-cut metals, including inconel, high nickel alloy, titanium and armored steel. When used and maintained properly, it offers a superior lifespan and cut, and it tends to cut cooler than other grains, so it reduces heat discoloration.Ceramic is usually red or orange in color. Used primarily on metal applications. Ceramic is available in grits 24-120.
The grain’s grit helps determine its physical and performance properties as well. The grit refers to the size of the individual abrasive particles, in the same way sandpaper grains receive classification by their size.
For you, the best abrasive grain type will depend on what materials you are working with and what results you want to achieve. Below are some popular applications and their common abrasive needs.
Aluminum oxide and ceramic are the two abrasives most commonly used for metalworking, but zirconia can also be used with great results. For example:
For stock removal and weld blending, ceramic and zirconia do the best job on stainless steel and other ferrous metals while aluminum oxide is recommended for alloys, gray iron, and non-ferrous metals.
For shaping, ceramic should be used on alloys that are harder to grind while zirconia archives the best outcome for stainless steel and heat-sensitive metals
Post time: 08-07-2024
