Everything you need to know about choosing the correct abrasive grain
When you are taking on all manner of woodworking or metal projects, sanding will inevitably be part of the process. That, in turn, will necessitate you being well-informed on the variety of abrasive products in which you might place your trust at different stages of each project.
We’ve previously discussed the importance of different abrasive grits for ensuring you achieve optimal results. But it is also crucial to be mindful of the various types of abrasive grain, including the potential need to switch to different grain types as you progress through stages of your work.
Why is it so crucial to always use the right abrasive grain at a given moment?
Let’s face it – the sanding process can be arduous and time-consuming at the best of times, and you won’t want to make your work with abrasives any more difficult than it needs to be.
So, it is important to be well-educated and skilled in not only the proper technique and pressure for getting the best results from particular abrasive products, but also the characteristics of the abrasives themselves that will influence this.
There are such mechanical properties of the abrasive materials to consider as their hardness, for example, this being measured as the ability of a given mineral to scratch or be scratched.
You will also have to account for a particular abrasive’s tenacity – in other words, the ability of the mineral to absorb energy – and the material’s friability, which refers to the grain’s ability to ‘self-sharpen’ by breaking to form new, sharp edges. A highly friable material, then, is one that will allow you to continue working for longer until the sandpaper wears out.
What are the main abrasive grain types to be aware of?
The most commonly used types of abrasive grain are widely considered to be the following:
- Aluminium oxide. This is a particularly versatile form of synthetic abrasive grain. It is a chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen formed by fusion, before being broken down and sorted by grit size through a series of mesh screens. There are three types of commonly found aluminium oxide abrasive grain: pink, white and brown. Pink, for example, is often a sound choice for the aggressive sanding of softer substrates like wood. The brown type, meanwhile, is also referred to as ‘semi-friable’, and is frequently a good choice for harder substrates, such as metal.
- Silicon carbide. This semiconductor – consisting of silicon and carbon – is produced through carbothermal reduction. Save for diamond, it is the hardest common abrasive grain. While silicon carbide does generally wear quicker than aluminum oxide, it still lasts a while, thanks to its sharpness and friability. It is an especially suitable abrasive grain for harder materials such as metals and is even the only grain that is usable on glass, stone, and marble.
- Alumina–zirconia. When you’re seeking the grittiest solution out there – for example, because you have some raw wood that you need to do a lot of rough sanding on – this grain could be the ideal choice. Alumina-zirconia is also sometimes called ‘zirc’ or ‘zirconium’, and is normally only available in coarser grits. It can be more expensive than alternative grains, but for the price you pay, it does last a long time and offers impressive friability, as well as a cooler sanding experience than aluminium oxide.
Contact Adkwik Today for your Abrasive Needs
Whether you’re seeking abrasives perfect for wood bonding purposes, removing rust, or deburring metal and glass, here at Adkwik, we can offer the solutions that will almost certainly meet your most discerning requirements – at the right price. Explore our range of abrasives online for sanding discs, belts, rolls, and more please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would appreciate further help and guidance from our expert team.
