Abrasive Cutting of Stainless Steel
Abrasive discs, rotating at high speeds, can be used for both cut-off operations on relatively small section sizes, and for straight line cutting of sheet and thin plate material. * (The cutting of large radius curves may also be undertaken).
It is therefore a useful method for cutting thinner thicknesses to length (or to a mitre), and for making cuts of limited length on the shop floor during fabrication.
The use of Aluminium Oxide (Alumina) discs is recommended.
Cut-off operations are normally done wet, using a soluble oil emulsion. Rubber-based discs are used.
Random straight line cutting of stainless steel sheet and plate is normally done dry. Vitrified or resinoid-bonded discs are used. Care must be exercised not to induce excessive over-heating of the cut edge.
Dedicated discs (i.e. uncontaminated by cutting of other material) must be used.
Random cutting done by hand must employ safety measures, as the discs can jam and break in the cut groove.
* Note: Straight line cutting of thick plate (from 20 - 100mm thick) can be accomplished by abrasive cutting. This necessitates the use of high cost, specialised equipment
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