What is abrasive and abrasives products
Abrasive is the material of a certain hardness and density that make other materials to be processed by removing the material itself. The most popular usage is to make abrasive products for cutting or polishing purpose.
Abrasives are classified according to hardness, grain size and abrasive material. Each of these variables will affect the final result of the abrasive products made, so if you want to make good abrasive products, must choose correct and good quality abrasives.
Abrasive products are sorted to many kinds, based on their structure and application, they can be classified into two primary categories: Bonded Abrasives and Coated Abrasives. Each type has distinct products, uses, and characteristics.
- Bonded Abrasives
Bonded abrasives are rigid tools formed by bonding abrasive grains (e.g., aluminum oxide, silicon carbide) with a binder. They are widely used for precision grinding and cutting.
Products and Applications:
Grinding Wheels: Available in shapes like flat, cup, or dish, they are used for surface grinding, cylindrical grinding, and sharpening tools. Ceramic-bonded wheels suit heavy-duty tasks, while resin-bonded wheels excel in precision polishing.
Cutting Discs: Designed for slicing metals, ceramics, or stone. Resin-bonded discs are common for handheld cutting tools.
Oil Stones : Used for manual sharpening or finishing metal surfaces.
Superabrasives (Diamond/CBN Wheels): Employed for ultra-hard materials like cemented carbide or glass, offering high wear resistance.
Features of these Bonded Abrasives:
High rigidity and durability for precise material removal.
Varied binders (ceramic, resin, rubber, metal) determine heat resistance and flexibility.
- Coated Abrasives
Coated abrasives consist of abrasive grains adhered to a flexible backing material. They are ideal for irregular surfaces and large-area finishing.
Products and Applications:
Sandpaper/Sandcloth: Used for woodworking, metal deburring, or automotive bodywork. Waterproof variants (e.g., WET/DRY sandpaper) prevent clogging.
Abrasive Belts: Mounted on belt grinders for rapid material removal on flat or curved surfaces, such as stainless steel sheets or furniture.
Abrasive Discs/Flap Wheels: Applied in polishing composites, plastics, or welds.
Sanding Sponges: Flexible tools for contoured surfaces like automotive repairs.
Non-woven abrasive discs are softer for delicate surfaces.
Features of these coated abrasive products:
Flexibility and adaptability to complex shapes.
Backing materials (cloth, paper, plastic) and grit sizes (coarse to ultra-fine) cater to diverse needs.
- Key Differences
| Aspect | Bonded Abrasives | Coated Abrasives |
| Structure | Rigid, fixed abrasive grains | Flexible, grains on a backing |
| Precision | High (e.g., CNC grinding) | Moderate (suitable for contours) |
| Applications | Heavy cutting, precision machining | Large-area sanding, polishing |
| Heat Resistance | Better (ceramic/metal bonds) | Lower (limited by adhesives) |
- Specialized Categories
Non-Woven Abrasives: Made from nylon fibers impregnated with abrasives, used for light polishing or cleaning.
Superabrasive Tools: Include diamond/CBN-coated products for extreme hardness materials.
In summary, bonded abrasives prioritize precision and durability, while coated abrasives excel in versatility and ease of use. Selecting the right type depends on material hardness, surface geometry, and desired finish quality.
If you need abrasive products, contact BUDDIES.
Buddies abrasives is a group company that have factory in Jiaxing producing bonded abrasive products such as cutting & grinding wheels, and etc. The factory in Suzhou is producing coated abrasive products such as sanding belts, sand paper, sanding discs and etc. The other factory in Guangzhou is producing flap discs, flap wheels, fiber discs and etc.
Our wide products line, good quality and service will meet most of your requirements.
This post is also available in:
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!