Resulting Properties
For grinding wheels and other abrasives, particles such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide are bound with a phenolic resin. The binder consists of a powdered phenolic resin, either alone or with a liquid wetting agent such as a phenolic one-step resin or furfural. Other fillers such as cryolite (Na3AlF6), potassium fluoroborate, and potassium sulfate are usually included as part of the adhesive formulation. The fillers act as lubricants. This bond is used in wheels designed for rapid high speed cutting and removal of large amounts of metal. For heavy duty grinding operations, where heat is generated at a rapid rate, phenolic resins with high heat resistance are used.