{"id":6487,"date":"2016-02-25T10:00:16","date_gmt":"2016-02-25T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=6487"},"modified":"2023-10-11T15:45:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T14:45:37","slug":"grinding-wheel-marking-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/grinding-wheel-marking-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Marking System for Abrasive Wheels"},"content":{"rendered":"

A grinding wheel, also known as an abrasive wheel, is a wheel made of abrasive particles bound together by various substances, such as rubber, shellac or silicate. They are used by a variety of industries but, if not used safely, have the potential to cause serious injury.<\/p>\n

All abrasive wheels are prone to breakage so it\u2019s essential that you always follow best working practices whenever they are in operation. One of the first control measures to adhere to is ensuring that you understand the marking system for grinding wheels.<\/p>\n

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\"expert<\/div>\n

Need a Training Course?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Our Abrasive Wheels Training<\/a> will provide you with an introduction to working safely with abrasive wheels so that you can understand the risks and know which control measures are needed to prevent injury and ill-health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Abrasive Wheel Markings<\/h2>\n

All abrasive wheels are marked with:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Type.<\/li>\n
  2. Size.<\/li>\n
  3. Specification.<\/li>\n
  4. Maximum operating speed.<\/li>\n
  5. Restrictions for use.<\/li>\n
  6. Other, non-safety related information.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    They must conform to the British Standard (BS EN 12413 and BS ISO 525) system for marking. Take a look at the example\u00a0below which shows each of the essential markings.<\/p>\n

    \"grinding<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    The type<\/b> of the wheel is marked as an ISO number and signifies the wheel\u2019s shape. For example, ISO Type 52 is a spindle-mounted wheel.<\/p>\n

    The size<\/b> of the grinding wheel is marked as dimensions in mm. For example, 230 x 3 x 22.2mm. This represents the wheel\u2019s diameter x thickness x hole size.<\/p>\n

    The specification<\/b> of the grinding wheel is marked as a series of letters and numbers. For example, WA 60 K 7 V. This represents the type of abrasive material, the grit size, the grade, the structure and the bond type. A general guide to specification marking can be seen in the table here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Example<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Marking<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Marking Codes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    WA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Abrasive Material<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    A<\/strong> \u2013 regular aluminium oxide<\/p>\n

    WA<\/strong> \u2013 white aluminium oxide<\/p>\n

    19A <\/strong>\u2013 mixture of A and WA<\/p>\n

    SD <\/strong>\u2013 synthetic diamond<\/p>\n

    ASD<\/strong> \u2013 synthetic diamond, metal coating<\/p>\n

    FA<\/strong> \u2013 semi-friable aluminium oxide<\/p>\n

    PA<\/strong> \u2013 pink aluminium oxide<\/p>\n

    SA (HA)<\/strong> \u2013 single crystal aluminium oxide<\/p>\n

    23A <\/strong>\u2013 mixture of A and SA<\/p>\n

    AZ <\/strong>\u2013 zirconium oxide<\/p>\n

    C <\/strong>\u2013 black silicon carbide<\/p>\n

    GC<\/strong> \u2013 green silicon carbide<\/p>\n

    RC<\/strong> \u2013 mixture of C and GC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    60<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Grit Size<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		(Coarse) 10, 12, 14, 16, 20<\/strong> etc. to 600, 800, 100, 1200<\/strong> (Fine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    K<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Grade<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		(Soft) A, B, C, D, E<\/strong> etc. through to V, W, X, Y, X<\/strong> (Hard)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Structure<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		(Dense) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14<\/strong> (Open)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    V<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Bond Type<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    V<\/strong> \u2013 vitrified<\/p>\n

    B<\/strong> \u2013 resinoid<\/p>\n

    R<\/strong> \u2013 rubber<\/p>\n

    O<\/strong> \u2013 MgO<\/p>\n

    E<\/strong> \u2013 epoxy<\/p>\n

    M<\/strong> \u2013 metal<\/p>\n

    EP<\/strong> – electroplated<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    The range of material markings, grit sizes, grades, structures and bonds depends on the product and the manufacturer, but the table above gives a general outline of common markings seen on abrasive wheels.<\/p>\n

    The maximum operating speed<\/b> is marked on every large grinding wheel (above 80mm in diameter) in two ways:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The peripheral surface speed, given in metres per second. For example, 80m\/s.<\/li>\n
    2. The rotational speed, given in revolutions per minute. For example, 8500rpm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      For smaller grinding wheels (below 80mm in diameter), the maximum operating speed is provided on a separate notice which must be stored alongside the wheel.<\/p>\n

      For high speeds, colour-coded stripes are also marked across the centre of the wheel. The colours are:<\/p>\n