Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How are grinding wheels made from abrasive grains and bonding materials?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
abrasive
Worker using an angle grinder to smooth a piece of metal.
Grinding wheels are essential cutting tools manufactured by combining abrasive grains—typically silicon carbide or aluminum oxide—with a bonding agent.12
Manufacturing Process
The production process involves several key stages:
- Mixing and Molding: Abrasive grains of specific sizes are weighed and thoroughly mixed with a bonding material. This mixture is then evenly distributed into steel molds.3
- Compression: The mold is placed in a hydraulic press, where the mixture is compressed under high pressure to achieve the desired wheel dimensions.3
- Firing or Baking: The final step involves hardening the wheel through heat:1
- Vitrified Wheels: These use ceramic bonds (clays and feldspars) and are fired in high-temperature kilns at 1,260° C (2,300° F) for up to two weeks.3
- Organic Wheels: These use resins, rubber, or shellac and are baked at lower temperatures (150°–200° C). This method allows for the inclusion of reinforcements like fiberglass or steel rings to increase resistance to pressure.3
The wheel's grade, or hardness, is determined by the ratio of bond to abrasive, which dictates how quickly the wheel releases dull grains to expose fresh, sharp ones.12