How to Select the Right 3M Abrasives for Industrial Use? 

Industrial applications of 3M Abrasives: Metalworking, Food Processing, Consumer Goods, Woodworking, Pharmaceuticals, Motor Vehicles, Aviation, Paint and Powder Coat

 Industrial works require different kinds of power tools and equipment to carry on the job. Such are the demands of this sector that most workers look for products that completely fit their job requirements. This is why most companies stick to exactly the right kind of products for the best results. One such tool is Abrasives. These are materials of specific hardness and density that are used to polish and rub other materials to remove the material itself. One of the most common uses of Industrial abrasives is for polishing a surface, although they are used for multiple other use cases. Industrial Abrasives are usually classified depending on their coarseness, grain size, hardness, and abrasive material, and each kind of abrasive affects the final outcome. Thus, it is important to choose the right kind to get the desired results.

What are industrial abrasives?

 Abrasives are typically materials that are used to polish, cut, and grind other materials. It could be made of natural or synthetic materials and they are classified based on their degree of hardness or thickness. When rubbed on other surfaces, they make a lasting impact and created the desired effect. One of the hardest known abrasives is diamond which is widely used in several industries for metal fabrication and/or cutting other products. Some of the other materials used as abrasives are silicon carbide, zirconium, and corundum. Although they are not as hard as a diamond, they have proven to be quite effective industrial tools. They are stuck together on a paper or canvas using glue so that the tiny particles of the abrasive can work as a whole. While these are the most basic ones, other, more complex abrasives like flap discs and grinding wheels are made using more complicated processes and may involve the use of industrial machinery for manufacturing. They are mostly used for metal fabrication, and industrial processing, particularly in metallurgical and automotive industries. The use of abrasives is a widely practiced process and it can be seen almost in every industry. For example, in the automotive industry where the pieces of different vehicles are welded together, abrasives are used to smoothen out the surfaces at the joints. Similarly, artisans making furniture use them to smoothen out the surfaces of the products they make. Apart from this, there are several other industries and products where abrasives are used to create a better finish and make the surfaces smoother. As abrasives are used to create the final, more processed look of a product, it is imperative that you choose the right one as it can have a lasting impact on the final quality of the product. One way of ensuring that you don't choose the wrong abrasive is choosing the 3M Abrasives as they are made keeping the specific demands of the industry and ensuring quality results. Let’s find out how to choose the right 3M Abrasive. [caption id="attachment_3259" align="aligncenter" width="728"] 3M Abrasives for Industrial Use[/caption]

Use cases of Abrasives

[caption id="attachment_3226" align="aligncenter" width="397"] 3M 775L Cubitron II Hookit Clean Sanding Film Disc[/caption] One of the most popular and widely used abrasives that are used across several industries is 3M line of Cubitron Abrasives. They have been in business for more than 40 years and they have mastered the art of creating products that are just perfect for the role they are supposed to play. Covering a variety of industries including, metal fabrication, metal grinding, cutting tool, polishing, and sanding, 3M Abrasives make work simpler and quicker. Not just that, 3M, as a company has been committed to providing the best quality products, providing an edge to the industries using their services for almost four decades. As they provide a huge variety of abrasives, it is important to make the right choice as selecting the one that is not fit for your process might waste your time, money, and effort. So, in this article, we will tell you how to select the right 3M Abrasive for industrial use. But before that, let’s find out more about abrasives.

How to select the right 3M Abrasives for better results?

3M has been in business for decades now and what started as a humble venture has turned into a Fortune 5000 company. And this has happened over the years through persistent hard work, the will to improve, serving the customers and clients well, and innovation at every step. The company has grown tremendously because it has been able to win the trust of its customers by providing only the best quality products ever since they came into being. And when it comes to abrasive solutions, they are surely one of the market leaders. Just like having immense expertise in a number of industries and product manufacturing, 3M provides abrasives like quick change grinding discs, grinding wheels, cartridge rolls, fiber discs, non-woven wheels, brushes, flap discs, hand pads, belts, and more to fit your needs. The use of Coated abrasives, and which one you choose depends on its purpose. Which material you wish to use it on and how much polishing and rubbing are required on the surface will determine the kind of abrasive you will use. And this is the single most important factor behind choosing the right grinding disc. There is no denying the fact that 3M Products are the best in quality, and they are manufactured to perform and last. This is why it becomes easy for the users to choose from their line of products. All you need to do is determine the use of the abrasive solutions and depending on that you can choose the one that perfectly fits your requirement from the line of 3M products. So, if you are working on flat surfaces, then both flat and conical abrasives will come in handy to work on the surface. While the flat one will help you work on a narrow surface, the conical one will be useful on larger surfaces with higher precision. Similarly, if you are working on corners or shaped surfaces, then using cup-shaped abrasive products is recommended. [caption id="attachment_3227" align="aligncenter" width="443"] 3M 80516 Disc Pad Face Plate Ribbed[/caption]

Shape and size of the grinding wheel

While the shape of the abrasive grains is important, it is also important to select the right grit thickness as it helps in the cleaning speed and the kind of pattern produced. For example, 3M abrasive grains between 8 and 16 are quite rough and impact the surface hard. These can be used if you want to have a deep pattern on the surface you are working on. An Abrasive grain proportion of 20-40 is one of the most widely used since they are mildly gentle and provide a perfect balance of rough and gentle usage. And the ones with grain from 120 up are used for finer finishing in several applications. Apart from the grain size, abrasives are also available in different body sizes and they can be selected as per the size of the surface you are working on. These are the most important aspects of choosing the right abrasive when it comes to providing the right finish and surface quality. But when you choose 3M products, their quality, and high performance ensure that you get the desired results. Which abrasive you choose will depend on the requirement. Once the quality of the product is assured, half your job is done, this is why choosing 3M Abrasives is one of the best choices you can make.

Frequently asked questions about 3M Abrasives

What are abrasives and what purpose do they solve?

Abrasives are surfaces made of different materials that are commonly used to rub, polish, cut, and trip other surfaces. They come in different sizes and different grain sizes and you must choose the one that suits the best your requirement. Abrasive products are used in different industries for giving products and surfaces a fine look and finish. One of the hardest and toughest abrasives is diamond which is used in various industrial applications for the cutting tools. They come in graded grain sizes. The ones with grain proportion of 8-16 are quite rough and thus they are used for more solid applications. The ones between 20-40 are comparatively gentler and thus they are used for finishing products like furniture etc. Abrasives in the standard 120 and up are quite gentle and they are used on surfaces that require gentle rubbing and fine finishing.

Why should I use 3M Abrasives over others?

3M, as a brand has been in the business for many years and over the decades they have come of their own through constant innovation, persistent work, and commitment to providing the best quality products. 3M Abrasive products are commonly used in a wide range of industrial applications as they are made with the best quality material and are manufactured to last. Once you choose the right abrasive that perfectly fits your requirement, you don’t have to worry about its performance as 3M products have proved their mettle over time.

What kinds of abrasives does 3M provide?

3M provides a wide range of other abrasives including quick-change grinding discs, grinding wheels, cartridge rolls, fiber discs, non-woven wheels, brushes, flap discs, hand pads, belts, and more to fit your needs. All these products have been tested a relied on for years and their performance is sure to give you the desired results.