ABRASIVES Topics discussed

Definition Classification with examples Mohs Scale Applications Natural abrasives Synthetic abrasives
Throughout history, humans have used materials ranging from beach sand to walnut shells to paper bags as abrasives . Widely-used naturally occurring abrasives include garnet, cerium oxide, flint, emery, corundum (aluminum oxide), and diamond. These materials may have varying characteristics and chemical compositions depending on the specific geological source. Manufactured versions of these materials are usually more consistent in chemical composition and other characteristics. Abrasives can be distinguished in a variety of ways based on their hardness / color/ chemical composition / crystal shape etc to name a few. Since the chemical composition- that is, the type of material- determines the abrasiveness, the identification of abrasives based on composition is popular

Definition Abrasive is a substance used to wear down ( cut / polish / grind /sharp) the surface of the materials with which it is in contact Abrasion is the ability of a substance to wear or tear the surface of other substance Abrasives should possess good hardness, toughness and refractoriness Hardness: Is defined as the ability of a substance to resist scratching Toughness: Is defined as the ability of a substance to cause indentation or to scratch other material Refractoriness: Is defined as the ability of a substance to withstand high temperature (Frictional Heat)

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Abrasives are classified Based On Occurrence : Natural and Synthetic Based on Hardness: Hard ,Moderate and Soft

Occurrence
Natural Talc Non siliceous Diamond, Corundum Synthetic SiC , B4C Siliceous Quartz , Garnet

Hardness

Hard (M.S >7) Diamond, , SiC,

Moderate (M.S. 3 7) Quartz

Soft (M.S. <3) Talc

Mohs Scale - Mineral Hardness The Mohs scale of mineral hardness was devised by Frederich Mohs, a German mineralogist in 1812. To devise the scale, he selected ten minerals as a basis because they were common or readily available, thus the scale is not linear, but is a bit arbitrary. It is a measure of the relative hardness and resistance to scratching between minerals (tested by Pin on Disc method) Though there are other scales like Rockwell, Vickers and Brinell, Mohs scale is still the most common scale of mineral hardness.
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Mohs scale Mineral Mohs scale composition

Talc

Mg3Si4O10(OH)2

Gypsum

CaSO4.2H2O CaCO3

Calcite

Fluorite

CaF2

Apatite Feldspar

5 6

CaF2.3Ca3(PO4)2 K2O.Al2O3.6H2O

Quartz

SiO2 AlF3.SiO2

Topaz

Corundum

Al2O3

Diamond

10

Mnemonics to remember the order of Mhos scale

To Get Candy From Aunt Fanny Quit Teasing Cousin Danny

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Mohs scale of common household substances (Just for information do not memorise)
Material Hardness

Plastic

Salt

2.3

Fingernail

2.5

Gold , Silver

2.5-3.0

Copper coin

3.5

Platinum

4 4.5

Window glass

5.5

Steel File

6.5

Ceramic tile

7.0

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Natural Abrasives
Corundum (Al2O3) [Alundum]
Properties It is Crystalline Very Hard Mohs scale-9 brown to grey in colour Corundum is used in In grinding wheels To grind glass/lens/metals, Ruby lasers

Diamond (C)
Diamond exist in three major forms Diamond (gem grade) Borts These are diamonds that are off colour or faulty Carbonado These are black diamonds mined from Brazil. They have good hardness, but due to lack luster, do not find application as jewelry. They are commonly used as abrasives Abrasive grade diamond has the following properties crystalline Chemically inactive Mohs scale-10 Uses In bits of drilling points Saw teeth for cutting rocks In grinding wheels In engraving tools

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Emery
Composition Alumina (crystalline) Magnetite Other minerals Properties Dark grey to black Hardness depends upon alumina content Mohs scale - 8 Uses In emery paper and cloth used for polishing. In bits of cutting and drilling tools 50 - 75% 20 - 40% 12 %

Garnets
Properties Tri silicates of alumina/ magnesia/ ferrous oxide. Common garnet- Calcium alminium iron silicate Mohs scale 6 -7.5 Uses To paper/cloth to polish wood /metals, As bearing pivots in watches In glass grinding

Quartz (SiO2)
Properties SiO2 (pure crystalline) Mohs scale 7 Hydrated form of SiO2 is called Flint

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Uses Impure grey quartz used in sand paper As granules in grinding Machines used to grind flour, pigments & ores.

Synthetic Abrasives
Silicon Carbide / Carborundum / Crystolon (SiC)
Preparation Raw materials are i. Petroleum Coke (source of carbon) ii. Sand (source of Si) iii. Saw Dust ( To provide hardness) All raw materials are sized, dried and mixed along with old charge and fed into the Acheson furnace with little amount of NaCl (flux) . 1650 - 2200oC (36 hrs) 3C + SiO2 SiC + 2CO Properties M.Pt. is 2700oC Mohs scale hardness is 9.3 Chemically Inert High Thermal Stability Brittle hence strength is less USES Cutting tools Grinding of cast iron, brass, bronze , porcelain marble Polishing leather, lenses (Abrasive paper and Cloth) Refractory in furnace

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Boron Carbide / Norbide (B4C)

Preparation i. Petroleum Coke (source of carbon) ii. Boron Oxide iii. Saw Dust (To provide hardness) All raw materials sized, dried and mixed along with old charge and fed into the Acheson furnace with little amount of NaCl (flux). 2700oC 7C+2B2O3 B4C + 6CO Properties Mohs scale hardness - 9 . 7 Chemically inert Resist oxidation more than diamond. Uses Grinding dies Cutting Sharpening hard high speed tools

Advantages of Synthetic Abrasives

Unlike natural abrasive synthetic abrasives possess uniform chemical composition Due to uniformity in the composition the hardness at various points also remain uniform

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Important General Applications of Abrasives

In grinding wheels (Bonded abrasives) abrasives are used to grind and polish the surface of metals and composites ,sharpen tools like knife ,saw tooth etc., In the form of paper / cloth (abrasive coated on paper / cloth with the help of glue) abrasives are used for cleaning and polishing soft and precious metals (Au, Ag, W etc.,) .They are also used to shine leather, clean lens , windscreen etc., In few places abrasives are used in the form of loose powder-for polishing hard metal and wood Cleaning products also contain abrasives suspended in a paste or cream. For example tooth paste contains calcium carbonate / silica /mica as a "polishing agent" to remove plaque and other matter from teeth as the hardness of the abrasive used is less than that of tooth enamel but more than that of the contaminating agent(plaque material). Abrasives may also be used to prepare surfaces for application of paint and varnish Pumice stone ( abrasive) is used to remove dead cells from skin (usually to keep the feet crack free) Soft abrasives are used in cosmetic industries in various products to rejunivate skin and maintain a smooth and silky texture

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