The ability of the abrasive grain, which penetrates the articles being abraded, depends to a large extent upon the hardness, toughness and shape of the abrasive. The types of the abrasives used according to their hardness are: Silicon Carbide, Alumina Zirconia, Premium Aluminum Oxide, White Aluminum Oxide, Brown Aluminum Oxide and Emery.

Synthetic mineral produced in electric furnaces, with a glossy black color and a high degree of hardness. Due to its brittle characteristics it fractures into sharp silver-like wedges having cutting edges that permit rapid stock removal. Recommended for finishing non-ferrous metals such as brass, bronze, copper and aluminum; and other materials such as leather, glass, wood, rubber and plastic. It is also used to finish and polish automotive primers, lacquers and sealers in general.

It is a mixture of zirconium oxide dissolved in aluminum oxide at molten temperatures. The type used for coated abrasives has a microcrystalline structure and is characterized as sharp, hard and extremely tough. Because of the microcrystalline structure and extreme toughness, smaller particles of the grain break off in use and at a much slower rate than standard aluminum oxide. It produces superior performance on a wide variety of materials of both high and low tensile strength under high grinding pressures. Materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, tough bronzes, a wide variety of stainless steel and exotic alloys, grey, malleable, ductile and nodular cast iron, aluminum, titanium, etc. Alumina Zirconia is excellent on high grinding pressures applications and very often it is equally effective on many of these same materials at lower grinding pressure levels.

Synthetic mineral based on fused aluminum oxide of high purity which has been thermically treated at very high temperatures substantially improving its hardness and friability properties, due to these improvements, premium performance aluminum oxide grain, maintains a sharp cutting edge that cuts cooler, resulting in longer life and lower grinding costs. It is used for grinding high tensile strength materials such as: steel, stainless steel and tough bronzes. It is also very effective for rough grinding of many low tensile strength materials such as: grey cast iron, low carbon steel, aluminum and brass, when heavier grinding pressure used resulting in longer life and lower grinding costs.

White Aluminum Oxide is a durable manufactured abrasive, which is characterized by the long life of its cutting edges. It is recommended for the sanding of all types of woods.

The Brown Aluminum Oxide grain has large crystal size in its structure. It is characterized as sharp, hard and tough, and it is used for grinding and polishing high tensile strength materials such as steel, stainless steel, tough bronzes, etc. It is also very effective for rough grinding many low tensile strength materials such as: grey cast iron, aluminum, brass, etc., when heavier grinding pressures are used.

Man-made Emery is a regular aluminum oxide with a low ferric oxide content. The mineral enhances high durability, recommended for hand polishing of ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

NON-WOVENS