Identifying the right grinding wheel can feel overwhelming when there are many technical aspects involved. One of the most important factors in application success centers around choosing the right wheel for the job. When comparing the actual wheels, CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) and diamond wheels are much the same, however, the actual cutting materials are what differentiates the two.
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The peak performance of a diamond grinding wheel is achieved when grinding non-ferrous materials like carbide, glass, and ceramics. Even though diamond still takes the top spot when it comes to hardness, it isn&#;t always the best abrasive for the job. Diamond is not well suited for steel or iron because of the intense heat reaction created when carbon and iron collide at high speeds. The grit of a diamond wheel will quickly erode if subjected to ferrous materials. Overall, diamonds are great for almost anything else. They effectively cut through ceramics, sharpen carbide and polish granite.
If you&#;re looking to use a grinding wheel on specialty materials, diamond wheels are the go-to option. Here are a few advantages to consider:
The distinctive makeup of a diamond is what contributes to its superior hardness. Diamond can take rough treatment, while still providing a fine cutting edge. Even though diamond appears to be fragile, it is still considered to be the hardest substance. A diamond grinding wheel can come in many different bonds, each one having advantages that distinguish the wheel itself and its applications.
Without the correct grinding wheel, a top-notch finish is almost impossible to obtain. Many factors go into the machining process, leaving room for imperfections if not done correctly at every phase.
The use of a diamond superabrasive wheel is well-liked because of its precision, long life, and multiple application uses.
Two factors set diamond grinding wheels apart from other abrasives: strength and longevity. While the cost of a diamond wheel may be more expensive than a conventional grit wheel, the extended life of a diamond wheel will recover that extra investment quickly. The bond of the diamond wheel can be adjusted to fit your unique needs, therefore extending the wheel's life.
When working with ferrous (iron-rich) materials, CBN is the superabrasive of choice. CBN is a highly durable, synthetic abrasive mineral (for more information read our Ultimate guide to CBN grinding wheels). This type of grinding wheel works best with steel or cast iron applications. CBN doesn&#;t react as strongly to heat, making it the preferred choice for &#;heated situations&#;. Because of this, CBN wheels can be used on ferrous materials at high speeds without affecting the life of the wheel.
Diamond wheels are the hardest; but certainly not heat&#;s best friend. If working with a ferrous material, choose CBN grinding wheels to avoid the chemical reaction that will quickly wear the diamond.
In the end, superabrasive wheels are not &#;one-size-fits-all&#;. Each industry requires its own type of wheel to create the desired result based on the material being ground. Identifying the best wheel for the job involves identifying the materials you want to work with and what result you&#;re looking for.
Based on this information, we can assist you in choosing the type of wheel that is most efficient for your company. Our application engineers are standing by to give you the advice you need to reach your grinding goals. We can be reached by or to answer your questions.
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Both are extremely hard and offer the potential for greatly improved grinding productivity, but there are differences between the two. It's important to understand these and match the abrasive to the task if peak productivity, and lowest cost-per-piece are to be achieved.
A CHEMISTRY LESSON
Diamond is a crystalline form of carbon. Under heat and pressure carbon atoms link with adjacent atoms to create the hardest known material. This makes it an ideal cutting tool, or would do but for it's rarity and price. However, in the mid 20th century scientists figured out how to manufacture diamond, and today most diamond grit used in superabrasive grinding wheels is man-made.
Unlike diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN) doesn't exist in nature and is synthesized from boron and nitrogen. When chemically bound together these two elements behave much like carbon in that they can create an immensely strong crystal lattice structure. Of the two, diamond is considerably harder at room temperature, (knoop hardness around 7,500 versus the 4,500 of CBN,) but CBN has better thermal and chemical stability, remaining inert at temperatures up to 1,000 oC, versus the 800 oC at which diamond begins to degrade.
CHEMISTRY DETERMINES APPLICATIONS
As the harder of the two, diamond is preferred for shaping extremely hard workpiece materials such as ceramics, carbides, stone and glass. It is not however suitable for use with steels. This is because carbon and iron have a strong affinity for one another, especially at elevated temperatures. This results in rapid erosion of the diamond grit, quickly destroying the grinding wheel.
CBN is better suited to grinding applications that generate high temperatures, meaning it can be used at higher speeds. And it's unreactive nature makes it the preferred choice for grinding most steels, such as tool steel and HSS.
IMPACT ON WHEEL CONSTRUCTION
The relatively low thermal limit of diamond also affects the type of wheel construction it can be used in. Vitrified wheels are made by firing a clay mix at very high temperatures: if the mix includes a proportion of diamond grit the firing temperature must be kept below 800 oC otherwise the diamond will start to react. For this reason, CBN is more common in vitrified grinding wheels.
TAKEAWAY
Use diamond on the hardest workpiece materials, but don't let it get too hot. Use CBN on ferrous workpiece materials to avoid the chemical reaction that will quickly wear diamond.
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