Silicon Carbide vs. Aluminum Oxide
Zirc vs. Ceramic
-
Both grains are considered “Hi-Performance”. Both will remove metal faster and last longer than all aluminum oxide or silicon carbide products. These Hi-Performance grains have the ability to constantly resharpen as they wear, providing fast cutting action through their usable life. Used primarily on metal applications
-
Z/A – commonly referred to as Zirc or Zirconium. They are ideal for coarse to medium grit applications on metal (best choice for abusive applications).
-
Works best under high pressure (which is required for the grain to fracture exposing new sharp edges).
-
Zirc was the first innovation in self-sharpening grain technology. Zirc grain has “large fracture planes”, which means a large portion of the grains flakes away as they resharpen, limiting the number of times the grain can resharpen itself.
-
Zirc is available in grits 24 -180.
-
C/A – ceramic abrasives are the newest innovation in grain technology. They provide the longest life & fastest cut rate of all coated abrasives.
-
They represent the ultimate in performance, providing an aggressive, consistent cut under moderate to high pressure. Ceramic grains feature very small fracture planes which allow each granule to constantly resharpen and provide extremely consistent stock removal through its usable life.
-
Ceramic is available in grits 24-220.