Choosing the Right Grinding Wheel

The type of abrasive used in a grinding wheel is of great significance as its selection will have an effect on its cut rate and longevity. Aluminum oxide is best for steels and irons while silicon carbide works better on non-ferrous metals.

Other considerations should include the amount and precision required of the stock removal, along with which bond to use.

Hard

When choosing the appropriate grinding wheel, it’s essential to consider the material of your workpiece. This will enable you to choose an abrasive that best matches this surface type – for instance aluminum oxide is great for low tensile strength materials like nonmetallics while zirconia alumina may work better on harder steels with large contact areas.

Consideration should also be given to bond type. A harder bond offers longer wheel life and faster stock removal; conversely, softer bonds provide smoother grinding experience while more quickly exposing new abrasive surfaces.

Vitrified bonds are ideal for use with black and green silicon carbide abrasives, tungsten carbide tool steels and tool steels to prevent corrosion on stainless steel and aluminum workpieces, metal fabrication, maintenance departments and tool and die shops, grinding cast iron and nonferrous metals like titanium or tungsten as well as cast iron grinding operations. With various sizes, shapes, grits and shapes available they offer endless applications.

Durable

Silicon carbide is an extremely long-wearing material that stands up well across many materials and applications, including ferrous metals like steel and cast iron, nonferrous materials such as aluminum and brass and hard-to-grind ceramics and glasses.

Sharp edges of the abrasive grain break down as it wears down, producing new razor-sharp cutting surfaces over its lifetime. This results in quick material removal rates, long wheel life, and superior surface finish quality compared to traditional aluminum oxide abrasives.

Covington offers an assortment of metal grinding wheels, such as black and green silicon carbide as well as tungsten carbide, for use on hardened steel materials like hardened plate. Furthermore, there are resinoid and zirconia alumina bonds depending on your work environment and grit size requirements.

Long-lasting

Silicon carbide abrasive materials offer superior wear resistance when compared to aluminum oxide alternatives, due to their hardness. Their sharp cutting edges enable them to keep producing less abrasive chips known as “swarf,” which are less likely to damage workpieces.

Silicon Carbide Abrasives are designed to efficiently grind soft metals like cast iron and nonferrous metals as well as ceramics, stone, and other hard to grind materials like ceramics or stone. When working on soft materials like wood or soft metals they should be combined with aluminum oxide abrasives to produce a smoother finish.

Premium waterproof abrasive film designed specifically to meet the demands of metallographic and petrographic coarse and fine grinding applications, featuring select mineral grading, tough resin bonding and quality paper backing that doesn’t swell when wet. Available from 60-1200 grit sizes with plain or Pressure Sensitive Adhesive back options (PSA). Sold per 25.

Easy to maintain

Grinding wheels are an indispensable tool used for grinding and cutting various materials, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. Silicon carbide is an abrasive material made of hard and durable material which is often utilized for multiple tasks like cutting metals, stones and ceramics smooth as well as being known for its resistance against high pressure environments.

A grinding wheel’s grit size, bond type and shape all play an essential part in its performance and lifespan. Grit size specifically can dictate both roughness of grinds as well as wear rate over time.

Green silicon carbide is an abrasive material commonly used for grinding relatively soft metals like aluminium and cast iron, as well as extremely hard materials like cemented carbide. Usually used with vitrified or resinoid bonds, its shapes vary and a rubber dressing stick can help in dressing these wheels properly.