Ask anyone who does it for a living. Ceramic grinding is challenging work. Still, it’s not rocket science. You’ll need the right wheel and suitable operating parameters. An accurate, rigid grinder is a must. Oh, and don’t forget your patience. That said, it’s a deep topic. Interested in pursuing this lucrative field? This article will explore some of the highlights of ceramics and ceramic grinding.

What Are Ceramics?

Ceramic is the oldest of all “formable” materials. Humans have used it for millennia to make everything from pottery to bathroom tiles. However, it’s the far newer “technical” ceramics that are most interesting. Silicon nitride. Alumina. Zirconia. These are just a few of the materials you’ll find in shops that perform ceramic grinding.

What Are They Used For, and Why?

In addition to their high strength, all ceramics offer excellent engineering properties. They can be somewhat brittle, but most boast impressive strength. They’re also quite wear, corrosion, chemical, and heat-resistant. Name an industry and you’ll find ceramics. That means spray nozzles and LED lighting. Ballistic missiles and circuit boards. Pressure sensors and gas turbine rotors. In fact, much of todays’ medical, aerospace, military, and automotive technology would not exist without these robust materials.

How Do You Make Them?

Whether fine china or high-temperature engine components, all ceramics start out as a powder or clay. These are then mixed with water or another binding agent and pressed into the desired shape. It’s possible to machine these relatively firm “green” ceramics at this stage, but it’s more common to “fire” or sinter them first.

Why is Ceramic Grinding Important?

This is where ceramic grinding comes in. Ceramics are quite hard after sintering. Some are several times harder than steel. It’s only through grinding, lapping, and other abrasive processes that components achieve their final shapes. Doing so requires a very rigid and accurate machine tool. It also needs the right wheel.

What About the Wheels?

Many grinding wheels are themselves made of ceramic. It’s critical, therefore, to choose the right one. Shops offering ceramic grinding services often utilize super hard diamond-plated wheels. Ones made of cubic boron nitride (CBN) are also quite common. Regardless, it takes the correct operating parameters to be successful.

We’ll have more information in a later post on the nuts and bolts of it all. For now, though, just know that machine tool builder Kent USA is very active in this area. Give us a call if you’d like to discuss your next ceramic grinding project.

Kent USA KUG-35100NC Cylindrical Grinder