Grit Size & Impact on Performance: Engineer Interview

The further I probe into the world for the best grinding wheels, the more I realize just how many considerations must be taken in the selection process. One of the many components of creating a custom wheel is abrasive selection, and more specifically choosing a grit size. There are several abrasive options available and each comes in different sizes, ranging from 60 grit (US size) to 6000 grit (or 1 micron in diameter). But what are the criteria for selecting an opportune grit size? Let’s investigate the ways grit size can affect grinding wheel performance with a wheel expert, John Coleman.

E- “What exactly dictates the kind of coating that is applied to each abrasive? Are there specific coatings for certain materials, or is the main focus more on grinding performance?”

J- “There are certainly plenty of different coatings that can be used, and a lot of the decision depends on the bond that is used. More often than not if we are using coated abrasive, the coating will be nickel, copper, or titanium-based. Nickel coating adheres to the bond very well, and depending on the thickness of the coating the longer those individual grits will hold onto the bond. So, abrasive coatings will extend the life of your wheel as long as there isn’t any excess heat generation to worry about. The coating is removed or greatly reduced when designing wheels for a dry grinding environment due to the fact the high heat grinding operations can wear the wheel surface quite quickly, neglecting to expose new abrasive particles quick enough.”

J- “In round tool manufacturing, often involving a gashing or a cup wheel, the corner radius on the wheel has to be a very specific size in order to achieve the desired geometry. Over time with wear, if that radius changes by two-thousandths of an inch, it no longer does the job right. At a minimum, you need two grit particles on a surface to form a radius. If each grit is five-thousandths of an inch in diameter, with the minimum two-grit requirement, it will create a grinding radius that is ten-thousandths of an inch. If the customer wants to achieve a smaller radius, they will have to size down the grit.”

I had previously imagined grit size would affect the surface finish and cutting speed of the wheel, as well as the lifespan. However, the fact that grit size has a specified impact on high-tolerance geometry grinding was a surprise. As John mentioned in our interview, there are times when the manufacturer may want a more aggressive cut, meaning a coarser grit, but the geometry they need to achieve won’t allow for such a large grit size. In this case, a finer grit must be chosen. End mill production is a good example of this. The fluting process has to be precise, so it is more beneficial to choose a finer grit that has a better chance of maintaining corner geometry and conducting more passes with the grinding wheel than an aggressively cutting, large grit size. This is why 240 grit is commonly used for fluting.

In summation, there are three ways grit size impacts grinding wheel performance. First and most obviously, the larger the grit size the more aggressive the cut you can obtain. In contrast, smaller grit sizes produce better surface finishes but have a lower material removal rate. Second, larger grit sizes have more cutting points to expose throughout use than smaller sizes. However, we cannot forget the bond! Larger grit sizes also take more time to release from the bond and reveal fresh abrasive. Smaller grit sizes may dull faster, but new particles can surface more quickly. Finally, grit size matters when manufacturers require specific geometry on their tools. It is an essential criterion to consider in tight tolerance grinding operations to maintain accuracy throughout use.

Although there seem to be a lot of specifications involved in choosing an abrasive, I can say after speaking to John the process feels a great bit less daunting. His wealth of knowledge and years of experience allow him to provide excellent technical customer service. If you have questions regarding your grinding operation, I would highly recommend reaching out to Eagle’s team of application engineers. They know how to get down to the nitty-gritty.

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. Eagle values communication and we will never lead you on.  We hope you’ll explore the ways our team can help your business realize its potential.