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Lehigh Valley Abrasives June 2010 Newsletter

 
 
 
Lehigh Valley Abrasives
 
June, 2010 


At Lehigh Valley Abrasives we are committed to providing premium products, made in the USA and Europe, at low prices with extra-ordinary service.  As always, please call or e-mail us if you have any questions.
How to Choose the Correct Flap Disc for Your Application.
 
Their are several factors which effect flap disc performance for a given application.  These factors include;
 
1. The type of coated abrasives
 
2. The shape of the disc
 
3. The thickness of the discs
 
4. The speed at which the flap disc is operated.
 
By understanding the factors above, users can choose the best flap disc for their operation and minimize both cost and grinding time.
 
Zirconia - Best for Steel
 
flap-disc-Zirc
 
Zirconia is the most widely used coated abrasive for flap discs.  Zirconia is an
extremely hard grain which excels at grinding while providing a long service life.
 
Lehigh Valley uses a superior Zirconia cloth which includes a lubricant and is made in Germany.  The lubricant keeps the grinding tempature low and allows our zirconia discs to also be used on stainless steel and other high nickel alloys.
 
 
 
Ceramic - Best for Stainless Steel  
 
ceramic-flap-disc
 
Ceramic grain flap discs excel at grinding and finishing stainless steel and other high nickel alloys.  The tough ceramic grain cuts faster and cooler than any other grain type.
 
Tests have shown that for stainless steel applications, ceramic grain flap discs lasts twice as longs as zirconia cloth and removes material 50% faster.
 
Turbo Disc - Best for Aluminum
 
 fd-alum
 
Traditionally flap discs clog and load when grinding aluminum and other soft metals (brass, copper bronze).  The Lehigh Valley Abrasives Turbo Disc contains a special calcium stearate coating
on the disc which prevents clogging.  
 

The turbo disc significantly outlasts competitive flap discs on aluminum and other soft metals due to its resistance to clogging.

 

 Aluminum Turbo Disc 
Additional Factors to Consider
 
Shape
 
Flap discs are available it type 29 conical and type 27 flat.
 
Type 29 conical is ideal for heavy metal removal tasks because the tapered shape allows for full contact between the flaps and work pieces.
 
 
t29 
 
Type 27  flap is ideal for finer finishing as it is more forgiving and thus produces a more even scratch patter.
 
T27
 
Thickness 
 
Flap discs are offered in both standard and jumbo thicknesses.  Standard thickness offers the ability to access tighter work areas and
more control over the disc. 
 
Jumbo flap discs are 50% thicker than standard discs and therefore last approximately 50% longer.  For high volume production jumbo flap discs are ideal as they minimize the time operators spend changing discs. 
 
Flap disc operating Speed 
 
Typically 4-1/2" angle grinders operate at 11000 rpm.  The ideal operating speed for a flap disc is 6000 to 7000 rpm.  The rpm should be adjusted downward as the grit becomes finer.
 
By using a variable speed angle grinder such as the Metabo WE14-125 VS and adjusting the rpm to approximately 6000 to 7000 the flap discs service life will increase between 50 to 75% and surface finish will dramatically improve.
 
metabo-angle-grinder   
 
Thank your for your continued support and patronage.
 
Sincerely,
 
Chris Stone
Principal
 


Lehigh Valley Abrasives
Phone - 908-892-2865 
Fax - 908-537-2145