Fiber circles
The need for rough machining of materials, especially metals, arises in many industries. Cleaning various types of defects and welds is a challenging task. Using a fiber disc has made it possible to perform this and many other operations as efficiently, quickly, and affordably.
What are fiber circles?
A grinding disc that combines the cutting power of a hard abrasive with the flexibility of paper is classified as a fiber disc. Due to its flexibility, the tool can adhere tightly even to uneven surfaces, significantly increasing the workable area. Its abrasive coating ensures high cutting performance. Its versatility stems from the wide range of grit sizes available and the fact that it can be used on both angle grinders and stationary equipment. Given their low cost, these discs are more of a consumable item. A special holder is used for mounting them on angle grinders.
Purpose and scope of application of fiber wheels
The product is applicable to a wide variety of materials and manufacturing operations, but its primary purpose is roughing. The main tasks it solves are:
- grinding of welded seams and drips, removing burrs from metal parts;
- cleaning surfaces from rust, scale or paint;
- preparation of parts for subsequent finishing.
The product is versatile in terms of materials. If it can handle welds, it can be used to remove casting defects on plastics and other types of pre-treatment. The same applies to chamfering, deburring, and similar operations. These discs have proven themselves effective in removing resin from wood during the construction of log buildings or cladding. The tight fit of the work surface, coupled with the medium grit, also allows for acceptable roughness values when working with metals.
Construction of a fiber circle
The product is a disc with a bore ranging from 16 to 22 mm. Four to eight slots can extend from its center. The number of slots affects flexibility and provides additional chip removal capabilities. The fiber disc base is made of fabric or paper impregnated with a special solution. This explains the relatively low water resistance of the disc. Therefore, cooling is not recommended when working with fiber discs. Phenolic resins applied to the working surface of the backing act as a binder, holding the abrasive grit to the work surface. Electrocorundum, zirconia corundum, or ceramic grain are used as abrasives. As mentioned above, fiber discs are primarily used for roughing. Therefore, fiber discs are generally made with coarse and medium abrasive grains, rarely finer than P120. The entire design works to increase the aggressiveness of the work. Therefore, to grind any type of material and shape of parts, it is only necessary that the support disk, also called a mandrel or holder, matches the diameter of the circle.
Advantages of fiber wheels
In addition to the ability to work with very hard materials such as welds and even stone, the following positive features can be identified:
- low cost of consumables;
- for large areas, high wear resistance is important;
- reduction of intermediate grinding operations;
- Convenient and quick replacement of worn discs. Furthermore, fiber discs allow for a relatively high level of cleanliness. They are lightweight, simplifying the work process both in terms of physical effort and control.
