Coated abrasives contain abrasive grains held together in a matrix of glass, resin, rubber, or other binders. They are used to remove surface materials such as metal, ceramics, glass, plastics, and paint. Coated abrasives are used in both grinding wheels and abrasive stones or sticks. Grinding wheels are used in a variety of applications and industries, while abrasive stones or sticks are used for sharpening edges and honing internal or external surfaces.

Coated abrasives use several different types of abrasive grains. Aluminum oxide, the most common industrial mineral in use today, is used either individually or with other materials to form ceramic grains. Aluminum oxide is also combined with emery and crocus to produce abrasives suitable for finishing applications. Other types of abrasive grains include garnet, tungsten carbine, silicon carbide, and alumina-zirconia. Super-abrasive diamond pastes are useful in ferrous polishing or lapping applications where heat and reactivity are not a factor. Cubic boron nitride (CBN), a superabrasive grain with hardness second to diamond and a cubic crystal structure provides superior grinding performance on carbon and alloy steel.

The abrasive grains in coated abrasives use several different bond types. Some use an electroplated or brazed metal bond between the abrasive grains, or between the grains of a metal substrate. Others use a shellac, resin, rubber, or glass bond system between the abrasive grains. Low-strength bonds such as silicate minimize heat generation, but lack the life and durability of vitrified or resin bonds. Reinforced bonds use a fiberglass mesh or other fibers or materials to improve the structural integrity of coated abrasives. 

There are several ways to mount coated abrasives. For example, hook and loop mounting attaches the abrasive using a hook and loop fabric whereas bore / center mounting uses a central hole for mandrel, arbor, spindle, or shaft mounting. Other types of coated abrasive mounting include quick change and PSA / adhesive.

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