{"id":7466,"date":"2022-09-16T01:26:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T01:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nccuttingtools.com\/?p=7466"},"modified":"2022-10-19T10:24:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T10:24:18","slug":"zirconia-vs-aluminum-oxide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nccuttingtools.com\/zirconia-vs-aluminum-oxide.html","title":{"rendered":"Zirconia vs. Aluminum Oxide: Which to Choose"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Zirconia vs. Aluminum Oxide is the two most common types of sandpaper, belts, and pads<\/a>. This guide can help you choose the right one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we will look at these abrasives, their differences, and their intended uses.<\/p>\n\n\n

Zirconium Oxide vs. Aluminum Oxide: Definition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Aluminum Oxide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\"Several<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Several Grades of Aluminum Oxide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumina material is the most commonly used abrasive in the world. You will most often see it is grits ranging from 24 to 600. In fact, it is added to most other abrasive products, including ceramic abrasives, to improve their cutting ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies produce alumina by purifying bauxite. Manufacturers use a smelting process involving coke, iron borings, and temperatures that reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit<\/a>. This process accounts for 90 percent of all the abrasive materials used in industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will most often see aluminum pride abrasives in the form of sandpaper. However, aluminum oxides are also used in sanding blocks, grinding wheels, and aluminum oxide sanding belts.<\/p>\n\n\n

Zirconia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\"Zirconia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zirconia Poder on a Lab Spoon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zirconium<\/a> abrasives offer three significant advantages. They are heat resistant, stronger than most other types of abrasive, and self-sharpening. Because of these characteristics, they are very durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their durability, they are ideal for use in manufacturing stainless steel<\/a> and other hard alloys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturers use zirconia to make sandpaper, grinding stones, and sandblasting compounds. In addition, many companies use these materials in flapper wheels and sanding belts. Zirconium Oxide sandpaper comes in grits ranging from 24 to 180.<\/p>\n\n\n

Zirconia vs. Aluminum Oxide: Used For<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Aluminum Oxide Abrasives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

You will see three colors of Aluminum oxide grains; white, pink, and brown. Each color has characteristics making it best suited for particular purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

White Aluminium Oxide<\/strong>– White aluminum oxides best suit smooth painted surfaces and softwoods. However, it wears quickly and is not very aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pink Aluminium Oxide<\/strong>– Pink aluminum oxide is slightly more durable than white but still relatively soft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown<\/strong> Aluminum Oxide<\/strong>– Brown is the most common aluminum oxide abrasive. They generally don’t provide a smooth finish, but their abrasive grain cuts faster. Even with a finer grit, they are more aggressive.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Zirconia Material<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

You will often see them used in auto refinishing and industries that work with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n