Selecting Abrasives That Make the Grade

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It is important to realize that abrasive products come in different grades, and some manufacturers specify them as good, better, and best (this is the scheme used in the table in this article, in descending order: 1=best, 2=better, 3=good).

Metal manufacturers who measure total grinding results and want to achieve the lowest total cost of application use the best abrasive products that are best suited for most of their work, reserving intermediate abrasives for high-productivity applications where only abrasive cost matters. End users who want the lowest initial cost may opt for good abrasives, but should be aware that this option may not be economical in the long run. 

Manufacturing and welding shop owners interested in determining total grinding results can work with their abrasive suppliers to test and compare various grades of abrasives and alternative products from different manufacturers. This field-based testing reveals relative abrasive costs based on price and wear rates, and can even measure a worker's overall productivity based on their wages. The relative abrasive cost can then be added to the operator cost to determine the total grinding cost. Such tests often show that the most advanced (best) abrasive products typically last longer, work faster, make the most of workers' time, and generally offer the most cost-effective option.