VSM Debut’s NEW SK855X Ceramic Grain Abrasive!

VSM Abrasives Corporation has again proved that we are an innovator in the abrasives industry with the launch of the NEW SK855X flagship coated abrasive product. It features an enhanced ceramic grain that is manufactured at VSM World Headquarters. VSM is one of a few international manufactur­ers with the know-how and ability to produce ceramic abrasive grain.

The new state-of-the-art production facility allows for optimum process control resulting in the highest quality grain available. The CRIMSON red SK855X product boasts a high cut rate with cool cut feature. Its aggressive grain orientation along with its cool cut grinding aid coating provides 30% or more productivity compared to the existing ceramic product.

This product is designed to work with heat sensitive materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloys and superalloys. The new SK855X provides increased service life due to its enhanced self-sharpening ceramic grain. Engineered to provide an aggressive cut and produce higher rates of stock removal than conventional grains.

A unique coating process was developed by VSM’s staff that provides the ceramic grain with a firm support structure for easy grain regeneration. “We have been able to substantially enhance the crystalline structure of the grain through extensive R&D work. The structure integrity of a ceramic grain is critical to optimize the regeneration which directly relates to cooler, high rates of stock removal.” stated Mr. Mark Boudreau, Director of Engineering. The SK855X was designed specifically for grinding metals and excels in me­ dium to high pressure backstand and power assist applications.

It is available in a comprehensive grit range from 24 to 120 and will satisfy many grinding
applications in belt and disc form. .


Ask the Expert - Ceramic Grain and Why It’s The BEST!
by Mark Boudreau, Director of Engineering VSM USA.

Coated abrasive products have evolved dramatically from the 1600’s when Chi­nese sailors would use broken sea shells to sand the decks of their ships. Nine­teenth Century coated abrasive manufacturers would take advantage of natural materials such as, flint, garnet, and emery. Today, mined minerals are rarely used giving way to man-made grains such as Silicon carbide, Aluminum oxide, Zirconia alumina, and Ceramic alumina.

The most recent development of man-made grain is Ceramic alumina. Unlike the other man-made minerals that are fused together in furnaces, ceramic grain is a chemically produced grain and undergoes a sintering process to achieve its hard­ness. All grains are intended to fracture or self sharpen to give an optimum cutting performance. Single crystal grains such as Silicon carbide and Aluminum oxide (See Figures A & B) rely mainly on fracturing through pressure, which results in a shorter service life. There are, however, two types of multi -crystal grains which include Zirconia alumina and Ceramic alumina.

First, Zirconia alumina (See Figure C) is a multi-crystal grain structure that incor­
porates thin plates of Zirconia and Aluminum oxide formed by a fusion process.
It relies on heat and grain pressure to expand the zirconia within the crystalline
structure causing a mechanical breakdown of the aluminum oxide resulting in a
self sharpening effect. It is imperative to create these conditions or the service life
of this grain will deteriorate before its full potential is used. Figure C, Zirconia alumina Figure D, Ceramic grain

Second is the most advanced grain, Ceramic alumina; its structure contains bil­lions of crystals. This advanced structure allows a rapid self sharpening effect in virtually all applications due to its regeneration characteristics. Each crystal acts as a cutting edge that will rapidly break away during the grinding process which results in high stock removal and cool cutting surface. One of the ceramic grain’s greatest advantages is grinding under light pressure on hard materials such as, titanium or heat sensitive metals like stainless steel. Not all ceramic grains are created equal. It is imperative that the crystal growth is created in a controlled environment to achieve a uniform structure. The result allows for optimum regeneration and hardness. VSM’s state-of-the-art ceramic manufacturing plant has the ability to produce this unique and high quality grain managed by the leading coated abrasives quality control team. The next time you are interested in upgrading your current coated abrasive ap­plication, consider a ceramic product to do the job!