5 Benefits of Diamond Grinding Wheels

Diamond grinding wheels utilize synthetic diamond grit suspended in a resin, vitrified, or metal bond structure. Most often used in precision grinding applications where high material removal rates and dimensional accuracy are required, diamond wheels are employed by a range of industries including aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics.

So, why are diamond wheels such a popular choice? Let’s investigate the five main benefits of using a diamond grinding wheel.

1. Exceptional Hardness

Diamond wheels are incredibly hard and wear-resistant, making them ideal for grinding other hard materials such as carbide. This feature also allows diamond wheels to withstand high material removal rates and provide better longevity when compared to conventional abrasive wheels.

2. Superior Grinding Performance
   From rough grinding at high feed rates to cutting brittle materials with high
   accuracy, the composition of a diamond grinding wheel can be manipulated to serve a multitude of applications.

This diversity stems from the combination of grit size and the concentration (or volume) of diamond grit present in the wheel’s bond. If finer grit is used, a higher quantity of grit particles can be included in the wheel bond. If larger grit is used, not as many grit particles will be able to fit into the wheel bond.

Fine grit is useful for high precision and works well with brittle materials, while coarse grit is ideal for faster material removal.

3. Low Heat Generation

The bond structure of a diamond abrasive wheel does impact its heat-resistant
abilities. Resin bonds, for example, generate the least heat overall during grinding and are typically used for softer materials like ceramics and composites. Known as a more “flexible” bond, resin bonds have a faster-paced grit renewal rate than metal or vitrified bonds. This allows for a consistent, sharp cutting surface.

Slightly less heat efficient, metal bonds are typically used for grinding tougher
materials and are much harder than resin bonds. By retaining grit particles for longer, this bond allows the form of the wheel to hold its shape for extended periods.

Vitrified bonds are made of ceramic material, ideal for heat dissipation. They are typically suggested for grinding materials with low thermal conductivity.
Regardless of the bond structure, using a diamond grinding wheel reduces the
risk of heat damage to both the wheel and the workpiece. Synthetic diamond abrasive is highly conductive and chemically inert. This makes it a great material for heat dissipation.

4. Reduced Wheel Wear
   The unmatched strength and hardness of synthetic diamonds help maintain a
   sharper cutting edge, resulting in grinding wheels that resist wear and require less dressing throughout a job.
   Diamond wheels can operate for long periods with little to no load-up or glazing. This quality results in more efficient grinding, which means more time cutting and less time dressing a wheel.

Efficient grinding greatly reduces the risk of damage to the wheel and workpiece, such as burning, chipping, or breaking.

5. A Wide Range of Applications
   Diamond abrasive is available in various sizes and shapes and can be suspended in many different types of bonds. The possible iterations are almost infinite.

This makes diamond wheels an excellent choice for a variety of applications, including machining hard and brittle materials, grinding hardened metals, stone cutting and polishing, tool sharpening, medical supply production, and electronics and optics manufacturing

Whether you are looking for general guidance or are ready to get a quote, we are dedicated to helping you find the right solution – and if we can’t provide the exact wheel you need, we will let you know. We hope you’ll explore the ways our team can help your business stay ahead of the competition.