What are the different types of abrasive cutting tools?

Are you confused by the huge variety of abrasive tools available? Choosing the wrong tool for your material can lead to slow work, poor finishes, and wasted money on tools that wear out too fast.

Abrasive cutting tools are categorized by their abrasive mineral, their form, and their function. The main types include bonded abrasives like grinding wheels and cutting discs, and coated abrasives such as sanding belts and flap discs. [3, 4, 11]

I have spent my life in the abrasives industry, right here in Henan, the province that supplies 80% of China’s diamond. My insight is that abrasives can be understood in three simple ways. First, by the abrasive material itself, which is either conventional or superabrasive. Second, by the shape and construction of the tool, like a solid wheel, a flexible belt, or a saw blade. And third, by its job, which is usually cutting, grinding, or polishing. At my factory, Reliable (RL), we have mastered all these categories over nearly three decades. We make everything from conventional cutting discs to the most advanced diamond and CBN superabrasive wheels. This complete understanding allows us to help our B2B partners choose the perfect tool for any application, ensuring they get the best performance and value.

What are the three most common abrasive types?

Overwhelmed trying to choose between all the different abrasive grains? Using the wrong grain means you are either spending too much or your tool is not tough enough for the job, directly impacting your bottom line.

The three most common conventional abrasive types are Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, and Zirconia Alumina. [1, 2] Each has unique properties making it ideal for specific materials, from steel and stainless steel to cast iron and non-ferrous metals. [1, 2, 7]

These three materials form the foundation of the conventional abrasives world. Think of them as the workhorses of the industry. Aluminum Oxide¹ is the most popular and cost-effective abrasive. [1, 7] It is tough and durable, which makes it the best choice for grinding high-tensile strength materials like carbon steel, alloy steel, and bronze. Silicon Carbide² is harder and sharper than aluminum oxide, but it’s also more brittle. It is perfect for grinding hard but brittle materials like cast iron, as well as non-ferrous metals such as brass, aluminum, and copper. [2, 7] It’s also used for grinding stone and ceramic. Zirconia Alumina³ is a much tougher and more durable abrasive grain. It has a self-sharpening characteristic, meaning that as the grain wears down, micro-fractures expose new sharp edges. [1] This quality makes it excellent for heavy-duty stock removal applications, especially on stainless steel and other tough alloys.

What are the different types of abrasives used in grinding wheels?

Are you thinking that all grinding wheels are made from the same stuff? This belief limits your options and prevents you from finding the most efficient and cost-effective wheel for your high-performance materials.

Grinding wheels use two main categories of abrasives: conventional (Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Zirconia Alumina) and superabrasives (Diamond, CBN). [5, 6] The choice depends entirely on the material being ground, from common steel to ultra-hard composites. [5]

As a manufacturer, we must master all abrasive types to serve the global market. The conventional abrasives I mentioned before are the standard for most general-purpose grinding. But when our clients are working with very hard or advanced materials, they need something more. This is where superabrasives⁴ come in. Superabrasive wheels are made with either diamond or Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN)⁵. Diamond⁶ is the hardest material known to man. [10] We use it in wheels designed to grind extremely hard, non-ferrous materials like tungsten carbide, ceramics, glass, and stone. [8] CBN is the second-hardest material. [10] Its special talent is its ability to grind hard ferrous materials, like tool steels and aerospace superalloys, without breaking down from heat. [10] The choice is simple: for standard metals, use conventional abrasives. For the hardest, most demanding materials, you must use superabrasives.

What are the different types of CBN grinding wheels?

Did you think one type of CBN wheel works for every job? Using the wrong bond type is a common mistake. It can lead to poor performance, slow cutting, or a wheel that wears out much faster than it should.

CBN wheels are categorized by their bonding system. The main types are Resin Bond for fine finishes, Vitrified Bond for high precision and long life, Metal Bond for toughness and wear resistance, and Electroplated for aggressive, high-speed grinding. [9]

The CBN abrasive is the cutting part, but the bond is what holds it all together. Choosing the right bond is critical for performance. As a manufacturer, we offer different bonds for different needs. Resin bond wheels are the most common and offer a cushioned grinding action, which is great for achieving a very fine surface finish, especially in tool sharpening. [9] Vitrified bond wheels have a glass-like structure that is very hard and porous. This allows them to hold their shape perfectly for high-precision jobs, like grinding automotive engine components, and allows for easy dressing. [9] Metal bond wheels are the toughest and most durable, ideal for jobs that require high wear resistance and can withstand more demanding conditions. [9] Electroplated⁷ wheels have a single, very exposed layer of CBN bonded directly to a steel hub. This gives them a very aggressive, free-cutting action, perfect for high stock removal and profile grinding where the shape of the wheel is critical. [9]

How many types of abrasive are there?

Are you still trying to count all the types of abrasives? It is easy to get lost in the details. A better approach is to understand the main groups they all fall into, which makes selection much simpler.

Abrasives are broadly classified into two main groups: natural and synthetic. From there, they are categorized by their form: bonded, coated, and non-woven. [3, 4, 11] Synthetic abrasives like Aluminum Oxide, Diamond, and CBN dominate today’s industrial applications. [6]

From a manufacturer’s point of view, we think about abrasives in big categories. First, almost all modern, high-performance abrasives are synthetic. We make them in a lab because we can control their purity, size, and properties perfectly. This includes everything from Aluminum Oxide to Diamond. Next, we give them a form. Bonded abrasives are where grains are mixed with a bonding agent and fused into a solid shape, like a grinding wheel or cutting disc. They are excellent for heavy material removal and precision shaping. Coated abrasives are what you know as sandpaper, sanding belts, or flap discs. Here we glue the abrasive grains onto a flexible backing like paper, cloth, or vulcanized fibre. These are ideal for finishing, polishing, and lighter material removal. Finally, there are non-woven abrasives, where fibers are matted together with abrasive grain to create a soft, spongy pad for cleaning and light deburring.

Conclusion

Understanding abrasive tools is about knowing the abrasive material and its form. From conventional to superabrasive, and from bonded wheels to coated belts, choosing the right combination is the key to mastering any cutting or grinding task.