The role of auxiliary abrasives in resin bonded abrasives

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In the realm of resin abrasives formulation, the key constituents comprise abrasives, auxiliary abrasives, and fillers. While the concept of auxiliary abrasives has gained recognition in recent years, its widespread application remains limited. In previous years, auxiliary abrasives were scarce in many domestic resin abrasive formulations. Even when employed, their proportion was often minimal, failing to achieve their intended purpose. Most formulations primarily utilized Cu, Cr, and Fe powders as fillers. These fillers play a crucial role in the abrasive's grinding process. However, they also exhibit notable drawbacks.

Issues such as soaring prices of metal powder materials, challenges in cost control, environmental and human health concerns related to harmful metals, and most importantly, the occurrence of a grinding "vacuum period" after the detachment of low-concentration abrasive grains, have necessitated a reevaluation of abrasive formulation strategies.

Unleashing the Potential of Auxiliary Abrasives

Auxiliary abrasives, as the name suggests, actively participate in the grinding process alongside primary abrasives. By reducing passive friction between the abrasive and the workpiece, auxiliary abrasives help maintain consistent grinding efficiency and enhance abrasive longevity. A well-selected auxiliary abrasive can effectively replace costly metal powder fillers, resulting in improved sharpness, lifespan, and overall mechanical performance of the abrasive.

Unlike fillers, auxiliary abrasives, such as the commonly used SiC (silicon carbide), offer distinct advantages. SiC boasts a high thermal conductivity of 83.6 W/(m·K), making it valuable for heat dissipation, the shaping process, hardness enhancement, and post-forming abrasive conditioning. Notably, SiC's cost is significantly lower than that of metal powders, effectively reducing production expenses and pollution concerns.

The critical difference lies in auxiliary abrasives' multi-functionality. They both serve as fillers and actively contribute to the grinding process, safeguarding the primary abrasive's functionality. Consider the primary abrasive, diamond, with a Mohs hardness of 10, and SiC with a Mohs hardness of approximately 9.5. As an auxiliary abrasive, SiC adeptly fills the void between abrasive detachment and out-of-grit status, ensuring seamless grinding continuity.

In practical applications, auxiliary abrasives shoulder a substantial portion of the grinding workload, mitigating external impact forces and providing additional buffering time for primary abrasive replenishment. As auxiliary abrasives possess smaller particle sizes than primary abrasives, they effectively conceal and polish the residual diamond scratches during the grinding process.

Tailoring Auxiliary Abrasives to Application

The scope of auxiliary abrasives extends beyond SiC. Many conventional abrasives possess additional capabilities, contingent upon the specific application and workpiece. Some abrasives are harsh yet brittle, while others are hard and resilient. These properties significantly impact the abrasive's sharpness and longevity. For instance, brittle abrasives are discouraged due to their low impact resistance and susceptibility to breakage, leading to clogging and reduced abrasive lifespan.

In conclusion, auxiliary abrasives are pivotal in refining resin abrasive formulations. Their role in enhancing grinding efficiency, prolonging abrasive life, and maintaining workpiece integrity cannot be underestimated. The synergy between primary and auxiliary abrasives empowers the abrasives industry to mitigate challenges associated with traditional fillers and elevate the overall effectiveness and sustainability of abrasive products. Through strategic selection and application of auxiliary abrasives, the abrasive industry charts a path toward improved performance, reduced costs, and heightened environmental consciousness.