Bonded abrasives

Solutions for bonded abrasives that last

As their name implies, bonded abrasives contain grains that are bound together by agents such as binders, fillers or other forming agents into defined forms, typically a wheel, stone, or grinding segment to perform a grinding operation. These can, for example, be mounted on a tool for cutting or grinding operations or used in segments by hands to sharpen knives. 

Fused aluminum oxides are especially well suited for use in bonded abrasives. These synthetic hard minerals are based on α-aluminum oxide. They are produced in electric arc furnaces by electrothermal fusion at temperatures around 2000°C. They show a value of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, placing them close to diamond (Mohs 10), the hardest known substance. This very high hardness, combined with its excellent thermal and chemical stability with mechanical strength and sharp edges, means fused aluminum oxide grits are mainly used as abrasive particles in grinding, machining and cutting operations.

We offer a wide range of Alodur® electrofused fused aluminum oxide based products, both macro and micro sized, for vitrified and resin-bonded abrasives: 

In addition to those well-established Alodur® electrofused aluminum oxide types, we also offer sintered α-aluminum oxide. Sintered aluminum oxide is produced using ceramic technologies that include the steps of fine milling, shaping and sintering.

Sol-Gel

In addition to those well-established Alodur® electrofused aluminum oxide types, we are also offering abrasive grain manufactured by a sol-gel process. The specific microstructure results in a unique aggressive grinding performance, which combines the high toughness and high hardness of the grain with the ability of optimised self-sharpening. This special abrasive grain structure allows in all applications and most varied pressure ranges a universal usage at the highest cutting rates and longest tool lifetime.

Additional information about other available Sol-Gel types is available on request.

Sintered Rods

Furthermore, Imerys offers sintered rods - fine crystalline sintered Bauxite and Alumina, especially designed for high speed and high pressure grinding (heavy duty resinoid wheel). Due to the composite structure of different crystalline phases, it combines high strength with excellent toughness.

All our types and grains are sized in accordance with the current FEPA (Fédération Européenne des Fabricant de Produits Abrasifs) or ANSI (American National Standard Institute) standards. 

Grain shape & treatments

Our products are available with various treatments and coatings (such as bluefiring or ceramic coating), and in various grain shapes (very pointed, angular, or blocky), depending on their particular grinding application. The grain shape is determined by measuring their bulk density using the FEPA method.