When coated abrasive products made with ceramic aluminum oxide (CAO) grains were introduced in the 1980s, they were considered one of the greatest innovations in grinding in 50 years. When specified and used correctly, they delivered results up to 10 times the performance and productivity offered by other abrasives used in cleaning and finishing. Today, products made with CAO grains commonly are used in the search for improved grinding results. However, foundries that purchase these abrasives face a new challenge. Because this advanced abrasive product is widely available, chances increase that the product specified might not be the best choice for cleaning/ finishing operations. Ceramic grains, for all their performance, cannot be cost-justified if they are not specified properly. Therefore, a foundry may end up spending more than it should for a product that does less than needed.
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