The jewelry industry will make you believe that diamonds are rare. Except that is not the case. In 2016, the mine produced approximately 128 million carats of diamonds.
Many of these diamonds have never entered the jewelry industry. Only diamonds that meet certain criteria are considered gem quality.
This will not discredit diamonds that are not gem quality. These diamonds are also strong. They continue to be used in manufacturing as a major component of superabrasives.
What is superabrasive?
Superabrasives occur in the form of aluminium oxide grinding wheel and are used when the material being processed is too stiff or too weak for conventional abrasives.
Industrial diamond is one of the most common materials used to make abrasive materials. Contrary to popular belief, diamonds are not as rare as marketing campaigns tell you.
Industrial diamonds are not gem quality diamonds and are usually small. They will have visual defects that make them “not enough” for jewelry.
Cubic boron nitride is the second most durable cutting material after diamonds. Next is polycrystalline.
Synthetic diamonds are also used, which are ranked second in the strength list. These diamonds grow from a mixture of hydrocarbon gases.
The ultimate most common material for superabrasives is nanodiamond. In order to obtain these diamonds, a controlled explosion is required.
Industry using superabrasives
Although the list of industries using superabrasives is very extensive. Some industries are known for a large number of users.
Oil industry
Medical
Aerospace
Composite material
Automobile industry
electronic product
These industries are typically manufactured using fragile materials such as silicone or very hard materials such as metals.
Benefit
The most obvious advantage is that these discs are very durable. This gives them better performance and longer life than ordinary abrasives.
When the disc lasts longer, you’ll find that the cost of fixtures and tools is reduced. This allows you to budget to invest in more machines.
You will notice that the wear and cut of the material will be uniform. Since the aluminium oxide grinding wheel is very abrasive, it does not form uneven wear points as quickly as ordinary aluminium oxide grinding wheels.
Therefore, the output you produce will be consistent. Therefore, your manufacturing work will produce reliable and consistent results.
Their comparison with conventional abrasives
The durability of conventional aluminium oxide grinding wheels is not high. Instead of using diamond as the primary abrasive, they used softer natural particles.
This has led to the need for more dressing and more wheel replacement. How long does it take to change the aluminium oxide grinding wheel for your production every time the normal aluminium oxide grinding wheel wears?
Now consider how many times you have to change the hub. These total times add to your production capacity.
Things to consider when purchasing a super aluminium oxide grinding wheel
You need to consider the surface treatment of the parts you need. You also need to consider the geometry of the part.
Finish
The finer the finish you want, the finer the grit on the disc. Use coarser coarse sand for heavy grinding.
material
You also need to consider the material from which the part is made. Typically, diamond is used as an abrasive for non-ferrous and non-metallic materials.
If your part is metal, CBN is usually used. There are also materials that can span diamonds and be used with CBN.
geometric
View the geometry and composition of the parts produced. Consider the type, grade and concentration of the keys.
single bond
The aluminium oxide grinding wheel with single button is ideal for high-profile removal of complex shapes.
Metal key
If you need strong shape retention and thermal conductivity, you need a disc with thermal adhesion.
Resin glue
If you want to save money, the resin bonding wheel will be the most economical choice. You can also use these wheels for a high quality finish.
Coolant
As with any high-friction grinding process, you need a coolant that will help keep the grinding area free of debris and prevent heat build-up and chemical reactions.
If you decide to use a aluminium oxide grinding wheel, look for oil-based fluids. The water-based lubricant has a low vaporization point. You also run the risk of generating steam, which increases the rate of oxidation of the CBN crystals on the cutting discs.
Buy super aluminium oxide grinding wheel
To review, use these seven factors when determining which wheel is right for your production process.
The material you use and its hardness
Grinding level
The level of precision required for the finished product and the finished product
Grinding contact surface area
Wheel speed
Are you doing wet or dry grinding?
What is the horsepower of your grinding machine?
When you study these visible factors and determine that you want to use a super-aluminium oxide grinding wheel, you need to check one thing. Make sure your machine is strong enough to support the super wheel.
Buy superabrasives for your manufacturing immediately
It is difficult to prove that the upfront cost increase of superabrasive grinding wheels is reasonable. But the durability and quality of its products make it worthwhile.
But you will soon realize that using superabrasives can increase productivity. Each cutting disc will handle more parts and the number of wheel changes will be reduced.
Contact us today and we can help you determine the superabrasives that are right for your manufacturing needs.