Grinding paper is one of the most important essential tools for the fabrication of any kind of material. Grinding papers provide a range of benefits, including a smooth surface for further processing, enhanced performance of the respective material, and improved surface finish, among other benefits. In the manufacturing industry, a number of industries use grinding papers for various applications, like machining, polishing and smoothing operant.
Grinding paper comes in a variety of sizes, grains, and textures - from the most coarse to the finest. Depending on the application, selected grinding paper should provide the desired results for the given job. For example, for polishing purposes, you would use a finer paper than for machining. Grinding paper is typically divided into several grades, depending on the size of the grains. The most common sizes are coarse grades, medium grades, and fine grades.
There are a wide range of grinding paper types available on the market, including regular paper, water-resistant paper, abrasive paper, and non-woven paper, among others. All of these types are suitable for different uses, depending on the requirements of the application and the desired effect.
Regular grinding paper is primarily used for machining of metal, wood and plastic materials. Its grains are generally coarser than those of other types of grinding paper and the reason for that is to facilitate the quick removal of material.
Water-resistant grinding paper has the same grains as regular paper, but they are designed to work effectively in wet and humid conditions. This type is suitable for use in wet and watery conditions, such as sanding applications.
Abrasive paper is designed to achieve a precise finish on metal and other materials, while also improving the performance of such materials. Its grains, usually zirconia, garnet, and aluminium oxide, give it a precise finish, without leaving deep scratches and scuffs on the surface.
Non-woven paper is commonly made from nylon fibres and is used for the finishing of metals and other materials. Thanks to its non-abrasive grains, it can be used for precise finishing applications, where the end result is to produce a mirror-like, smooth surface.
Finally, test grinding papers are used for testing the performance of materials and for studying the effects of different types of scratches, stains and finishes. These papers come in various sizes, so you can pick the size that best suits your needs.
No matter the type of grinding paper you need, it is essential to always check the quality before making a purchase. Improperly made grinding papers can cause damages to the material in use and can make the job inefficient. It is also important to read up on the instructions before using a grinding paper and always take appropriate safety measures. Incorrectly performed grinding operations can not only damage your materials, but can also put you in harm’s way.
