C U T T I N G T O O L S - A B R A S I V E S information contained herein is confidential/trade secret information of tifco industries, inc. reproduction and/or distribution is prohibited. K-41 zirconia alumina Zirconia alumina has a unique self-sharpening characteristic which gives it long life on rugged stock removal operations. Hence, zirconia alumina is well suited for heavy grinding of metals and planing of wood, because the controlled fracturing of the grain continuously produces sharp, new abrading points. aBrasives - general inFormation aDhesive BonDs The adhesive used to bond the abrasive grain to the backing is a significant factor in the performance of coated abrasive products. There are two types of adhesives in use: one based on animal glue and the other based on synthetic heat hardenable resins. The adhesives are applied with a minimum of two bonding applications. The first or "maker" coat adheres the abrasive grain to the backing insuring proper anchoring and orientation. After drying or curing, the second or "sizer" coat is applied. The "sizer" adhesive unites with the "maker" bond to provide final grain anchoring and proper total adhesive level for the finished product. glue BonD In glue bond products, animal hide glue is used for both the maker and sizer adhesive coats. The glue may be used alone or with an inert filler or extender. Because animal glue has a tendency to soften from the normal heat of grinding, glue bond products usually produce a more uniform, less harsh finish which, in the case of fine grits, can be easily buffed out. However, although they conform well and produce a superior finish, they lack the shed resistance, durability and stock removal potential of resin bond products. resin BonD Resins are basically liquid phenolics or ureas which can be modified for shorter or longer drying times to provide greater strength, more flexibility or other desirable properties. In resin bond products, either pure or filled resin is used for both the maker and sizer adhesive coats. Because resins offer greater resistance to heat and are more durable in heavy stock removal operations, resin bond products are the best all-around coated abrasives. However, they have a tendency to produce a harsher, more scratchy finish which, in the case of finer grits, is more difficult to buff out. Backing types Backings are the base for the abrasive minerals and, combined with the adhesive bond, support and anchor the abrasive mineral. The backings used in the manufacture of coated abrasives are: paper Due to the fine surface of paper, a consistent finish is produced. Paper weights include A, B, C, D, E and F with A being the lightest and most flexible and F being the heaviest and least flexible. A, B, C and D weight papers are used for hand sanding and light mechanical operations in the form of sheets, PSA discs and sheet rolls. E and F weight papers are primarily used for more aggressive mechanical operations in the form of belts and discs. cloth Cloth backings used for coated abrasives are identified by weight. Cloth backings are filled or "finished" with a variety of materials (glues or resins) to create various backing characteristics, mot notably flexibility. Several cloth types are used: cotton, polyester, polyester/nylon and polyester/cotton blends, and rayon. There are three basic weight of cloth: J-weight or "jeans" is the lightest and most flexible. X-weight or "drills" is a heavier cloth that ranges in flexibility, strength and durability and is used on the broadest range of applications. Y-weight is a heavyweight drills cloth used on heavy-duty, high stock removal operations. aBrasive grains The minerals used in the manufacture of coated abrasives are selected on the basis of their hardness, toughness, inertness, resistance to heat, fracture characteristics and particle shape. The ability of the grain or particle to penetrate the item being abraded depends to a large extent upon the hardness and shape of the abrasive. The ability of the grain to resist breakdown and dulling under the stress of grinding reflects its toughness. The ideal abrasive grain offers maximum resistance to point wear, yet fractures before serious dulling occurs, thereby satisfying both stock removal and finishing requirements. Selection of the proper abrasive for a given application depends not only on the grit size, but also on the correct abrasive grain for the stock being abraded. The most widely used types of coated abrasive grains fall into three general classifications: electric furnace, ceramic, and natural. Zirconia alumina, aluminum oxide, and silicone carbide are produced in electric furnaces. Ceramic aluminum oxide is produced by proprietary processes. Natural abrasives include garnet, emery, crocus, and diamond. aluminum oxiDe Aluminum oxide is extremely tough and wedge-shaped for high-speed penetration of tough materials without excessive fracturing or shedding. Hence, it is particularly well adapted to grinding high tensile material, such as carbon steel, alloy steels, tough bronze and hard woods. ceramic aluminum oxiDe Ceramic aluminum oxide is produced by a unique ceramic and chemical processes that result in a uniform-sized, dense, hard, and tough abrasive grain. Features aggressive cutting, long lasting grain life, best suited for tough-to-grind applications, especially stainless steel where ceramic provides contaminate-free results. silicon carBiDe Silicon carbide is the hardest and sharpest of the materials commonly used in coated abrasives. Its hardness and sharpness make it good for finishing softer nonferrous metals (aluminum, brass, magnesium, titanium, etc.) rubber, plastics, fibrous woods, enamel and other relatively soft material. It is also the grain of choice for producing certain finishes on stainless steel. Silicon carbide is harder than other abrasive, but less durable and breaks down faster. Also used in cutting wheels for masonry. emery Emery is a natural composite of corundum and iron oxide. The particles are blocky in shape and tend to cut slowly, thereby producing a polishing action on the material being abraded. Used for general maintenance and polishing of metals and in very fine grits for highly technical polishing, such as preparing metallurgical specimens requiring very close tolerances. Emery products are usually black in color. crocus Crocus is essentially iron oxide particles in natural or synthetic form. Used mostly for cleaning corroded surfaces of polished metals, where a minimum of stock removal is desired. Crocus is also used for polishing gold and other soft metals. non-Woven aBrasives Non-Woven is a nylon fiber material impregnated with abrasive grain material. This nylon fiber allows contaminants to pass below the surface, allowing fiber to remain exposed longer. The nylon fiber also provides the ability to remove surface contaminants without removing base stock material. Extremely tough yet conformable, available in a variety of color coded grits ideally suited for removing oxidation, adhesive residue, blending, polishing, deburring, surface preparation, and light cleaning on a wide range of metal and non-metallic surfaces.
