aluminum oxide is the most common abrasive used in grinding wheels. it is usually the abrasive chosen for grinding carbon steel, alloy steel, high speed steel, annealed malleable iron, wrought iron, and bronzes and similar metals. there are many different types of aluminum oxide abrasives, each specially made and blended for particular types of grinding jobs. each abrasive type carries its own designation-usually a combination of a letter and a number. these designations vary by manufacturer.
most grinding wheels are made with vitrified bonds, which consist of a mixture of carefully selected clays. at the high temperatures produced in the kilns where grinding wheels are made, the clays and the abrasive grain fuse into a molten glass condition. during cooling, the glass forms a span that attaches each grain to its neighbor and supports the grains while they grind.

aluminum oxide is the most common abrasive used in grinding wheels. it is usually the abrasive chosen for grinding carbon steel, alloy steel, high speed steel, annealed malleable iron, wrought iron, and bronzes and similar metals. there are many different types of aluminum oxide abrasives, each specially made and blended for particular types of grinding jobs. each abrasive type carries its own designation-usually a combination of a letter and a number. these designations vary by manufacturer.
most grinding wheels are made with vitrified bonds, which consist of a mixture of carefully selected clays. at the high temperatures produced in the kilns where grinding wheels are made, the clays and the abrasive grain fuse into a molten glass condition. during cooling, the glass forms a span that attaches each grain to its neighbor and supports the grains while they grind.