Widely used in industries, abrasives perform various functions, from heavy wear to the final finishing of various materials. They stand out mainly in sectors such as marble, civil construction, metallurgy, among other areas.
On the market, it is possible to find abrasive products of different shapes, grain sizes and compositions. Each is specifically developed for a particular material and to achieve a specific desired result.
To understand more about the universe of abrasives, learn about the types and their functionalities, continue reading and we will explain everything to you. Enjoy your reading!
What is an abrasive?
Abrasives are natural or synthetic products with the ability to wear, polish, cut, clean and level other materials through friction. It is a tool commonly used to manufacture and finish natural rocks, metals, wood, among others.
In general, abrasives are classified in two ways: natural or synthetic. Natural abrasive is one that is obtained directly from nature, such as sand, quartz, diamond, gravel, sandstone, etc.
Synthetic abrasives are produced in the laboratory through chemical and physical processes. Among the most common are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and boron nitride. Its main characteristic is its high durability, making it ideal for industrial applications.
What are bonded or coated abrasives?
Still, synthetic abrasives are divided into two large groups: bonded and coated. Although both are widely used in industry, they differ in their characteristics and applications. Next, we will explain the differences between them:
Bonded
onded abrasives are those made up of a mixture of grains and binding elements, called “alloys”. The principle of action of this type of abrasive consists of wear caused by the superficial penetration of the grains, causing the removal of particles from the material.
As this operation is carried out, the abrasive grains lose their cutting power, requiring greater pressure in the workpiece/grinding wheel contact area, generating a force that fractures or tears away the worn particles, continually exposing new cutting edges.
Coated
Coated abrasives, popularly called sandpaper, have a paper or fabric base, where the abrasive grains are deposited and adhered with the help of glues or resins.
The side (application base) used in its manufacture can have a single type or a combination of up to three materials, which are classified according to aspects such as weight, flexibility, hardness and resistance.
After all, what are abrasives for?
Abrasives are used to finish, level, clean or prepare surfaces made of other materials. Whether to provide some type of subsequent treatment, such as painting and polishing or for finishing and touching up.
In addition to these features, abrasives are also commonly used in residential environments. In this case, they are quite useful in household tasks, such as DIY projects, repairs and maintenance. However, remember that, in addition to choosing the right model for your needs, you also need to test abrasives to make sure it will guarantee a high-quality result.
What are the types of abrasives?
In the next topics we will explore some of the most common types of abrasives and their applications in industry. This way, you will understand in practice what each of them is for.
Abrasive discs
Abrasive discs are recommended for cutting and grinding materials such as metal, wood and tiles. This type of equipment is designed with a sharp edge to quickly cut through material.
With different grain sizes available, it is possible to choose the appropriate abrasive disc for each need, ensuring precise and efficient results.
Flexible polishing pad
Flexible sandpapers are abrasives made from industrial diamonds and high-performance resins, which gives them the ability to remove small scratches and provide natural stones with a smooth and uniform finish.
They are recommended for giving a final finish to marble, granite, porcelain, among other surfaces.
Grinding wheels
Grinding wheels are disc-shaped abrasives used in grinders and/or grinding machines to grind surfaces or even sharpen sharp items. They play a fundamental role in obtaining smooth, level surfaces with precise measurements, contributing to the quality and precision of the parts produced.
They are essential items in the industry for grinding, sharpening, grinding and finishing different materials, such as metals, stones, glass and ceramics.
Brushes
The brushes can be attached to power tools (automatic and poly-edge polishers) or used manually, providing effective removal of residue and oxidation.
In marble shops, brushes made of diamond or silicon carbide (SiC) are used to provide a brushed finish on natural stones. In construction, steel brushes are the most common.
Bevel abrasive
The bevel abrasive is used for lapping and finishing edges on various materials. Its main function is to provide a chamfer or inclination on the edges, providing an improved aesthetic appearance and, in many cases, greater safety when handling the object.
Fickert
As the name suggests, brick-shaped abrasives have a rectangular configuration, resembling bricks. This type of abrasive is recommended for the polishing process on granite and quartzite surfaces.
Such components can be used in automatic and semi-automatic polishers, which are electrical devices designed to assist professionals in polishing various surfaces.
Which abrasives are best suited for each type of project?
Abrasives play essential roles in various industrial processes, and often, more than one type of solution is used to perform certain tasks. Therefore, the application of abrasives may vary depending on the job. To illustrate, we will present examples of different uses:
Fine finish
In projects that require a fine finish, flexible polishing pads stands out as ideal abrasives. Their malleability and ability to adapt to different materials make them effective in achieving a uniform surface.
Natural rock polishing
For polishing natural rocks, the use of fickert abrasives is recommended. This rectangular configuration provides efficient application, providing a refined finish to materials such as granite and quartzite.
Brushed finish
Projects that require a brushed finish may benefit from using diamond or silicon carbide brushes. These tools are effective for creating brushed textures on stones, adding a distinctive look.
Cutting
When cutting various materials, the grinding wheel stands out as an efficient abrasive. Its composition and specific shape allow the removal of irregularities and the obtaining of polished surfaces in lapping processes.
What abrasives are used in the natural stone industry?
It is impossible to talk about abrasives and not mention the natural rocks sector. After all, this is one of the segments that most promote the global abrasives industry. In this case, the tool is crucial for the treatment and maintenance of stone surfaces, such as marble and granite.
In practice, they are used to remove stains, scratches, wear and imperfections from the material, leaving it with a uniform and shiny appearance. These abrasives can be composed of different materials, such as aluminum oxide, diamond and silicon carbide, among others.
What raw materials are used in abrasives for natural stones?
There are several types of abrasives for polishing natural stones, each with a different composition. Specific characteristics vary depending on the type of stone and the level of polish desired. Among them, we can highlight:
Synthetic diamond: a high-performance abrasive for polishing natural stones.
Aluminum oxide: a common abrasive for polishing natural stones.
Silicon carbide: an effective abrasive for polishing harder stones.
Borazon: a high-performance abrasive for polishing hard stones and metal surfaces.
Ceramic: a resistant abrasive for polishing natural stones.
Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD): a highly durable abrasive for polishing natural stones.
How to store abrasives properly?
The storage of abrasive products is an essential process to ensure their durability and quality. When talking about abrasives, it is worth remembering mainly their sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature.
These materials acquire or lose moisture according to the temperature values relative to the environments where they are stored.
Therefore, the ideal temperature for your abrasives is between 15 and 25ºC, while humidity must be between 55 and 75%. It is recommended to avoid keeping abrasives close to heat sources, not subjecting them to direct sunlight and avoiding cold and humid places.
To ensure that your materials are not damaged, check out the storage tips we have prepared for you:
Metal abrasives
Storage must be horizontal in the original packaging. They should not be overlapped, as the act may cause risks.
Magnesite abrasives
Materials that absorb water must avoid contact with liquids in any way to maintain efficiency and avoid cracking.
Resin-bond diamond abrasives
They must be kept horizontally in their original packaging. They must not be overlapped, as the act may cause risks or contamination. Also be careful when supporting abrasives, especially the soft line, which can absorb particles from the surface and become contaminated.
Flexible polishing pad
They must be kept in their packaging until use. After using the discs, they must be dried and stored in their original packaging.
What are the trends for the abrasives market?
The abrasives market is constantly evolving, driven by increasing demands for efficiency, innovation and sustainability. In this scenario, initiatives aimed at operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact gain prominence.
Below, we list the main trends in the abrasives market:
1. Easy-to-apply corrective/protective liquids
Development of liquid solutions that are effective in correcting imperfections and protecting surfaces.
2. Mirror surface finish
Advanced finishing process that aims to create extremely smooth and reflective surfaces.
3. Eco-friendly
Adoption of abrasives produced with biodegradable, recycled or renewable materials.
4. Process automation
Integration of advanced technologies to optimize and improve production stages, from manufacturing to distribution.
How to choose the best abrasives company?
The choice of abrasives company impacts both the quality of service delivery and the financial aspect. A reliable supplier guarantees the supply of specific materials aligned with the needs of the project.
On the other hand, an inappropriate choice may result in incompatibilities with the task requirements, compromising the effectiveness of the service. This will result in extra expenses for rework and acquisition of new materials.
Therefore, it is essential to research the company’s reputation in the market, check whether it offers technical support to customers and whether it has certifications and quality seals. It is also important to consider cost-benefit, comparing prices and quality of the products offered.
What are the risks of choosing low quality abrasives?
Choosing low-quality abrasives presents a series of dangers and challenges that significantly compromise the success of a project. Among these risks are:
Inefficient Performance
Low quality abrasives can compromise process effectiveness, resulting in lower yield and lower than expected performance
Premature tool wear
The use of inappropriate abrasives accelerates tool wear, leading to additional maintenance and replacement costs
Unsatisfactory finish
Choosing low quality abrasives can result in surface finishes below desired standards, affecting the quality of the final product.
Environmental impact
Low-quality abrasives can generate more waste, contributing to negative environmental impact and sustainability-related challenges.
Why is Cobral the ideal abrasives supplier for your company?
Cobral has been a leader in abrasives for over 56 years, standing out for its innovation and a highly qualified technical team. We offer quality products for polishing, cleaning and maintaining natural stones. Our priority is customer satisfaction.
Contact us to find out how we can meet your needs. “Quality and good service since 1966” is more than a motto, it is our commitment.
In short
What are abrasive products?
Abrasives are natural or synthetic products with the ability to wear, polish, cut, clean and level other materials through friction. It is a tool commonly used to manufacture and finish natural rocks, metals, wood, among others.
What is abrasive for?
Abrasives are used to finish, level, clean or prepare surfaces made of other materials. Whether to provide some type of subsequent treatment, such as painting and polishing or for finishing and touching up.
Who uses abrasives?
Abrasives are used in various industrial segments, such as marble, civil construction, metallurgy, glass manufacturing, ceramic production, among others. They are used to wear, polish, cut, clean and level other materials.
What is an abrasive grinding wheel?
Grinding wheels are disc-shaped abrasives used in grinders and/or grinding machines to grind surfaces or even sharpen sharp items. They play a key role in obtaining smooth surfaces.
What are natural abrasives?
A natural abrasive is one that is obtained directly from nature, such as sand, quartz and diamond. These natural materials undergo processing and classification processes to be used as abrasives.
What are synthetic abrasives?
Synthetic abrasives are produced in the laboratory through chemical and physical processes. Among the most common are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and boron nitride. Its main characteristic is its high durability, making it ideal for industrial applications.
