Description • Traditional ceramic microstructure grain • High concentration (3SG) or very high concentration (5SG) of SG ceramic aluminium oxide abrasive for high removal rate and extended wheel life • Unique, microcrystalline structure is self-sharpening for long product life • Very good cutting capabilities on very hard steels • Perfect for technical applications where grinding parameters can be adjusted to optimise performance What Is A Grinding Wheel? A grinding wheel is a precision tool with thousands of cutting points. It consists of abrasive grains held in a matrix of bond and separated by pores. The abrasive grains are the cutting points while the purpose of the bond is to hold the individual grains together. The pores (hollow spaces between adjacent abrasive grains and the bond) serve to provide clearance for coolant penetration and metal chips removed in the grinding process. When the wheel is rotated at grinding speed and applied to the workpiece, the abrasive grains cut the material that is being ground, removing the material in small chips.Under the action of the forces imposed during grinding, the abrasive cutting points are worn flat, resulting in the points becoming blunt. This causes an increase in friction, and a build-up of heat. The increase in grinding forces causes either the abrasive to fracture, exposing new cutting edges, or fractures the bond bridges holding the abrasive grains. In the latter case fresh abrasive grains are exposed to cut the workpiece. In normal vitrified grinding applications, the wheel has to be dressed. By varying the properties of the abrasive, the type of bond, the make-up of the wheel, it is possible to produce grinding wheels with a vast range of different grinding characteristics. Why Use A Straight Grinding Wheel? Straight wheels are by far the most common style of wheel. They are used on the periphery only and therefore produce a slightly concave surface (hollow ground) on the part. This can be used to advantage on many tools such as chisels. Generally used for cylindrical, centreless, and surface grinding operations. Wheels of this form vary greatly in size, the diameter and width of face naturally depending upon the class of work for which is used and the size and power of the grinding machine. Why Use A Quantum 3SG Ceramic Grinding Wheel? Norton Quantum is a patented ceramic form of aluminium oxide that is harder and sharper than conventional abrasive grains. The ceramic grain has a unique microcrystalline structure and when used in a grinding operation this microstructure becomes self-sharpening. This leads to a reduction in the need for wheel dressing and a considerably cooler cutting action. 3SG and 5SG particular are both blends of premium abrasives that include a high concentration (3SG) or very high concentration (5SG) of SG ceramic abrasive grain. SG has a unique microcrystalline structure allowing self-sharpening.
