Abrasive Wheels

The abrasive wheel brings thousands of tiny cutting components (abrasive grains) into contact with the item being cutor grinded, in rapid succession, as the wheel spins. These grains are harder than the metal alloys being cut, and each individual grain removes a small piece of metal as it comes in contact with the item being cut or grinded repeatedly, at high speed. This results in very fast cutting of the material. Key components: ABRASIVES - Several kinds of abrasives are commonly used; Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, and Zirconia - Aluminum Oxide; all designed with variationsin size and structure, to significantly affect the specific cutting or grinding application.BOND - The bonding system makes sure everything is kept together in the wheel shape. Consisting of resins & fillers, it allows the wheel towear away at a specified rate, to achievethe required cutting action. Wheelswithstrong bonds are called'hard'; those that break down more rapidly are considered 'soft'. Resinoid bonding systems are used for dry-cutting of most materials. Rubber-Resin bondingsystems areusedfor most wet-cutting applications.STRUCTURE - To providespace for the abrasive grain- bond matrix, the wheel must be constructed with the proper number, size and distribution of minute spaces inthe structure. Structures with more spaces are considered 'open', those with fewer spaces are considered 'closed'. REINFORCEMENT - For added strength, a woven fabric of long strand fiberglass, impregnatedwith phenolic resins, is molded intothe wheelduring the manufacturing stage. Thestrand size, weave and strength is determined by the requirements of the cutting job, and is engineered to meet the stresses ofthe application. h2 style="color:red;">WARNING!Improper use may cause wheelbreakage andserious injury - be safe, protect yourself.Avoid inhalation of dust - use approvedsafetyeyewear, gloves,clothing and masks.