How cut-off wheels and abrasives work.

Cut off wheels consist of abrasive material bonded to a substrate. The abrasive materials are hard, sharp, mineral grains that are either found in nature or man-made that is strong enough to allow the wheel to cut-off or slice through the metal through friction. However, not all abrasives are created equally. Today, with the advancements in abrasive technology, users have superior consumable alternatives featuring precision shaped ceramic grain that opens the door to significant performance improvements to cut faster, last longer and leave a better finish.

Cut-off wheels can employ either conventional grains or precision shaped grains. Conventional grains can be inefficient, precision shaped grains, on the other hand, are designed to last longer, stay sharper for longer, grind or cut faster and run cooler for maximum efficiency and productivity. So what is the difference, let us take a closer look at abrasive grains.

Conventional grains

Since most abrasive grains are manufactured with conventional crushing and screening techniques, rather than mined, they come in particles of various shapes and sizes. When these grains are coated onto an abrasive backing, the result is a random distribution of grain that is irregular in shape and size. This irregular cutting surface results in a “ploughing” effect as it cuts through the material. This ploughing causes heat to build up in the workpiece and the abrasive, which dulls the grain, causing it to cut more slowly and reduce wheel life.

Precision shaped grains

Comprised of similarly sized triangles precision shaped grains fracture as they wear to expose new sharp edges that cut cleanly, instead of gouging or ploughing through the metal. This action prevents heat from building up in the workpiece – reducing heat-related stress cracks and discolouration. Furthermore, because the abrasive itself stays cooler and sharper, it lasts longer than conventional grain.

The science of precision shaped grain.

Pioneered by 3M, this revolutionary breakthrough technology capitalised on two core technologies: microreplication and ceramics. Microreplication technology uses tiny, precisely shaped structures to give materials new physical or optical properties to produce small three-dimensional precision shaped grains that structurally resemble triangles. First introduced in 2009 in a range of fibre discs and belts, their geometry creates a precise and consistent abrasive surface that is ideal for metal cutting and finishing applications.

Crafted from uniformly sized triangles of ceramic aluminium oxide, 3M precision shaped grains are designed to break away as they wear, continuously forming new sharp points and edges, resulting in a self-sharpening effect. These grains wear evenly, are more durable and consistently slice through metal like a knife, instead of gouging or ploughing.

The video below illustrates how precision shaped grain stacks up against conventional grains to increase efficiency and productivity.

3M™ Silver Cut-off Wheels...a cut above the rest.

Our new Silver Cut-off Wheels are a new kind of premium performance wheel designed to be affordable for everyday use, delivering an unbeatable combination of performance and value in metal cutting applications. Featuring 3M Precision Shaped Ceramic Grain technology, these innovative wheels cut cool to deliver fast, smooth cutting action through pipes, tubes or flat sheets of all types of ferrous metals, stainless steels and alloys.

The fact that the grains stay sharp over their lifetime means that workshops can enjoy fast, consistent cut rates throughout the long life of the abrasive. That results in fewer wheel changes and more finished parts per wheel to help improve shop productivity and control costs. These high performing cut-off wheels are used in many industries, such as shipbuilding, rail, general metal fabrication and more to tackle the toughest metal-cutting applications like weld removal, beveling, edge chamfering and more. They are not only good for workers as it helps them carry out their craft faster and better, but they are also beneficial for businesses and their bottom line.

For more information visit our Silver Abrasives page to:

Silver Abrasives
Learn More

• Learn more about 3M™ Silver Abrasives for Metalworking and Fabrication
• Request a sample
• Find a participating distributor
• See Silver Abrasive Wheels in action
• Hear what people are saying about 3M Silver Abrasives

Alternatively, contact your 3M Abrasive System Specialist.