Performance Coating offers exceptional cut and an ability to reduce loading, while also controlling heat during grinding. The integrated material enhancement realizes the full potential of the grain structure, allowing resin fiber discs to perform as they would on hardened steel. The topic today will be based on test results proving the resilience of performance coating.
ARC ABRASIVES GRIND LABTEST RESULTS: 120 and 417 Today’s lab results will focus on two specific abrasive applications that involve performance coating:
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ARC TECH TALK: 250% INCREASE WITH PERFORMANCE COATING
Featuring Jeff Cantrell, Applications Engineering Manager
THE PROBLEM
“People who work with soft metals can become frustrated for a few reasons. A big contributor to those frustrations is that their abrasives break down and show early wear and tear. This is usually due to grain structures loading on those softer materials like aluminum, brass, bronze, and copper.”
This often leads to fabricators buying inexpensive products that burn up. They never reap the benefit and value of abrasives that have longer life spans and production efficiency.
Does this challenge sound familiar?
“We’ve seen customers try a variety of ‘fixes’ to gain more life out of their abrasives. Motor oil, mineral spirits, and even WD-40 are just some of the lubricants we’ve seen used to extend the life of a disc or wheel”, says Applications Engineering Manager, Jeff Cantrell.
Using these types of lubricants usually creates a mess for the operator. Not to mention leaving the part itself in less than ideal condition. The go to solution in the field is using a wax stick. This option isn’t the most efficient, as it requires the operator to stop and hit the wax stick with the tool, or bring the wax stick into the field with them to reapply as needed.
“The result is very little of the wax staying on the tool. Most of it ends up flying off requiring the operator to stop what they are doing and reapply.”
THE SOLUTION
ARC’s Performance Coating allows the entire cutting surface of the abrasive to be covered. It is then put through our proprietary baking process so that each grain is encapsulated to provide maximum output and longevity.
“This process delivers a significant amount of heat reduction during grinding activities, which contributes to reduced loading. Additional benefits include increased life and cut,” explains Cantrell.
Furthermore, the mess from using oils, and waxes in the field is eliminated.
THE DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR
The significant performance increases captured from using ARC’s Performance Coating is a result of the innovative baking process and careful selection of materials. A fatty acid derivative is used so that the surface of the working area or paint process is unharmed.
Documented third party analysis from the Hobart Institute of Welding has certified that ARC Performance Coating has no adverse effect on the welding area. The report references weld x-rays and break test data to illustrate that there is no negative impact from use of the Performance Coating.
In-house testing was also completed to demonstrate different cleaning techniques from the industry will sufficiently remove the coating for proper paint adhesion.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Stark differences in performance data are visible between multiple abrasive conversions. Abrasives products generating the most amount of heat throughout the grinding process will see the greatest benefit. Read the White Paper based on this subject.
“Weld removal applications using our Performance Coated Resin fiber discs and quick-loks can see up to a 10, or even 15 to 1, increase in cut and a major increase in life. On the other side of the coin, belts and PSA applications that generate less heat see a smaller increase in the 3 to 5 to 1 range.”
The following table is a general guideline for performance increases when using PREDATOR Performance Coated products compared to untreated Zirconia Alumina products:
| Product | Cut Rate | Life |
| Resin Fiber Disc | 10 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| Quick-Lok | 15 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| Flap Disc | 2 to 1 | N/A |
| Belt | 3 to 1 | 2 to 1 |
| PSA | 5 to 1 | 2 to 1 |
Jeff Cantrell is an Applications Engineering Manager at ARC Abrasives with nearly 20 years of field experience in the abrasives industry. Areas of focus and expertise include aluminum and mild steel fabrication applications utilizing resin fiber and flap discs.
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