Grit

No Grit No Glory

Grit Size

Definition: Grit size refers to the size of the abrasive particles. It is typically measured in microns or mesh sizes.

Measurement Units:

  • FEPA (Federation of European Producers of Abrasives): Uses “P” numbers (e.g., P80, P120).
  • CAMI (Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute): Uses plain numbers (e.g., 80, 120).
  • Micron: Measurement in micrometers (µm) for precision.

Mesh Size

Explanation: Mesh size indicates the number of openings per inch in a screen used to size the grit particles. For example, a 100-mesh screen has 100 openings per inch.

Relation to Grit Size: Lower mesh numbers correspond to larger grit particles,while higher mesh numbers indicate smaller grit particles.

Mesh Size
Grading Systems

Grading Systems

Coated Abrasives:

  • FEPA P-grit: Common in Europe; used for sandpapers.
  • CAMI: Common in the United States; also used for sandpapers.
  • JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards): Used in Japan.

Selection Criteria

  • Material Type: Different materials require different grit sizes for optimal results.
  • Surface Condition: The initial condition of the surface (e.g., rough, smooth, painted) influences the choice of grit.
  • Desired Finish: The required smoothness or polish of the final surface determines the grit progression.

Understanding the grit graduation system is essential for selecting the right abrasive material for a specific task, ensuring efficient and effective sanding, grinding, or polishing.

Selection Criteria

Silicon carbide

Silicon carbide

Is one of the hardest synthetic materials available, second only to diamond, making it effective for cutting and grinding.

Silicon carbide grains fracture easily, maintaining their sharp edges and provide consistent cutting performance.

It is available in black or green.

Popular for: Drywall, latex or oil-based paint removal.

White aluminum oxide

Its high hardness and sharp edges of the grain provide efficient material removal and precise finishing.

The grains are uniform in size and shape, providing a consistent finish and predictable performance.

Its is available in white or pink.

Popular for: Whitewood sanding, between coats on cabinet door and metal.

White aluminum oxide
Brown aluminum oxide

Brown aluminum oxide

BFA or brown fused aluminum oxide is the most used. Its extremely versatile and is used on a wide range of sanding applications including wood, metal and plastics.

The structure of brown aluminum oxide grains provides a sharp cutting edge, allowing for efficient material removal and a smooth finish. This efficiency is essential for achieving the desired results quickly and effectively.

BFA is widely available, ensuring a steady and cost effective supply.

Popular for: Wood, paint and drywall.

Blue fused aluminum oxide

Blue fired fused aluminum oxide is a special type of abrasive material. Here’s a clearer explanation:

  • Base Material: It starts with brown fused alumina, which is a common abrasive made primarily of aluminum oxide (Al2O3).
  • Processing: The material is first ground down and sorted by particle size.
  • Heat Treatment: After sorting, it undergoes a heat treatment process. This process not only enhances its properties but also gives it a distinct blue color.

In summary, blue fired fused aluminum oxide is essentially brown fused alumina that has been specially treated with heat, resulting in its blue color and improved characteristics for abrasive applications.

It is becoming increasingly popular on foam-coated abrasives, particularly in the automotive aftercare industry. This newer technology aids in preparing metal surfaces, ensuring that light-reflective paints are evenly distributed.

Blue fused aluminum oxide

All these materials originate from the same raw material, bauxite. However, they undergo different processes to achieve their respective colors. Bauxite, in its raw form, contains various impurities, which are removed through these processes. The more purification processes the bauxite undergoes, the purer and more expensive it becomes.

Pink aluminium oxide is harder due to the addition of chrome, which imparts the pink color and increases the material’s cost, making it a premium product. White aluminium oxide, having had the iron removed from the bauxite, is used in applications requiring minimal metal contamination, such as the Rolls Royce aerospace industry. Brown aluminium oxide, which contains more iron, is harder than white but is more commonly used due to its lower cost, as it undergoes fewer purification processes.

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