Silicon Carbide Paper

Name: Silicon Carbide Paper
Brand: UKAM
Availability: InStock

SMART CUT® Silicon Carbide Abrasive Paper is meticulously designed for preparing metallographic specimens, incorporating superior silicon carbide grains embedded in a resilient, waterproof backing for both dry and wet grinding. This versatile paper transitions smoothly from coarse cutting to fine polishing, ensuring that specimens are precisely prepared for microscopic analysis.

SMART CUT® Silicon Carbide Abrasive Paper is available in various formats including discs, sheets, and rolls. These are designed to meet diverse tooling and user preferences and are compatible with industry standards. With its extended lifespan and ability to produce consistent results, SMART CUT® abrasive paper offers a cost-effective solution for laboratories that prioritize high reproducibility

Ideal for both academic and industrial applications, SMART CUT® Silicon Carbide Abrasive Paper ensures that each metallographic analysis begins with a well-prepared sample, setting the stage for accurate and successful microscopic evaluations. SMART CUT® Silicon Carbide is available in both plain and pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing. Please note that custom specifications and additional sizes, hole diameters, and grit sizes are available upon request. The listed grit sizes adhere to USA standards, with a range from 60 to 1200 (European FEPA size P60 to P4000). These are available in common diameters of 8 inches (200mm), 10 inches (250mm), and 12 inches (300mm) as detailed in our specifications. Compare to BUEHLER, STRUERS, LECO & Others. Why pay more?

Advantages:

High Level of Compatibility: Can be used on all grinding and polishing machines such as BUEHLER, STRUERS, LECO & many others
Fast Material Removal: They offer quicker stock removal due to the softer bond.
Consistency: Maintains uniformity in scratch pattern, crucial for reliable and repeatable results.
Durability: The robust backing material resists tearing and shredding, adding to the product’s longevity and cost-effectiveness.
Premium Silicon Carbide: Utilizes superior quality, micro-graded silicon carbide that provides faster cutting action and reduces heat build-up, which is critical for maintaining the metallurgical integrity of the specimen.
Waterproof Bonding: The waterproof resin bond not only enhances the durability of the paper but also prevents disintegration in wet applications, ensuring extended usability and consistent performance.
Flexible Backing: The flexible C-weight paper backing accommodates contoured surfaces without compromising the integrity of the abrasive surface, making it ideal for complex sample shapes.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Options: Available with or without PSA backing, offering ease of use and quick changes between grits, significantly reducing preparation time in successive grinding stages.
Cost-Effective: Long lifespan and enhanced durability reduce the need for frequent replacements, offering greater value over time.
Uniform Results: The precision engineering behind the grain distribution ensures that each piece of paper delivers consistent performance, crucial for laboratories where reproducibility is paramount.

Diameter & Type	Diameter & Type
8in (200mm) - Plain Back	8in (200mm) - PSA Back
10in (250mm) - Plain Back	10in (250mm) - PSA Back
12in (300mm) - Plain Back	12in (300mm) - PSA Back

ANSI	60	120	180	240	320
FEPA	P60	P120	P180	P280	P400
Micron (est.)	268	120	78	52	35

Table of Comparison

Silicon Carbide Backing

Comparison table including a column for Tri-tab PSA-backed abrasive discs, which highlights their distinct features relative to plain-backed, regular PSA-backed, and foil or polyester plastic-backed discs:

Feature/Backing Type	Plain-Backed (Non-Adhesive)	PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive)	Foil or Polyester Plastic Backing	Tri-tab PSA
Adhesion Method	Requires mechanical fastening	Self-adhesive, sticks directly	Typically self-adhesive	Self-adhesive with easy-tab removal
Ease of Use	Less convenient for quick changes	Very convenient for quick changes	Very convenient for quick changes	Enhanced convenience with easy tabs
Flexibility	More flexible, good for contours	Less flexible than plain-backed	Least flexible, very durable	Less flexible than plain-backed
Durability	Moderate durability	High durability	Highest durability	High durability
Common Applications	Hand sanding, delicate surfaces	Automated machines, quick swaps	High-stress environments, precision tasks	Quick change environments, automated machines
Surface Suitability	Suitable for varied surfaces	Best for flat surfaces	Best for hard, flat surfaces	Best for flat surfaces
Cost	Generally less expensive	More expensive due to adhesive	Most expensive due to material	Slightly more expensive than regular PSA due to tabs
Removability/Reusability	Can be reused with new fastening	Single use, as adhesive may weaken	Single use, as adhesive may weaken	Easier to remove, single use
Environmental Considerations	Easier to recycle	Least easy to recycle	Less easy to recycle	Less easy to recycle

How to choose the right backing for Silicon Carbide Grinding Paper

Plain-backed abrasive papers are generally the most affordable option for grinding and polishing tasks. However, they necessitate the use of either double-sided adhesive or a paper-holding ring for attachment. One significant drawback of using a paper-holding ring is that it restricts the mounted specimen from extending over the edge of the grinding paper. This limitation often results in uneven wear of the abrasive surface, leading to over-grinding of the mount away from the sample. Such uneven material removal can produce a crescent-shaped artifact on the edge of the specimen, commonly referred to as “mooning” or MRD (Material Removal Differential). This artifact can significantly impact the analysis and integrity of the specimen’s edges.

PSA-backed or adhesive-backed papers are removal grinding papers and represent a more costly alternative to plain-backed and foil-backed papers. Their design, which allows for secure and uniform adhesion, greatly simplifies usage and effectively mitigates issues associated with “mooning” and MRD. These papers facilitate consistent grinding across both the center and edges of the papers, ensuring more uniform material removal and reducing the likelihood of edge artifacts.

Foil-backed or polyester-backed grinding papers combine ease of use with economic advantages. They typically employ a receiver adhesive disk that securely holds the paper in place. This disk can be washed and reused, thereby extending the life of the abrasive system. While these papers are more cost-effective than their PSA-backed counterparts, they still provide a reliable attachment that helps avoid uneven wear and the resultant problems seen with plain-backed papers. Additionally, their robust backing material adds a layer of durability, making them suitable for more intensive or longer grinding sessions.

Comparison Table for 8" Diameter

SMART CUT® Silicon Carbide Discs-Plain Backing to Buehler, Struers, & Lco

Grit Size	Our Item Number	Buehler Item No	Struers Item No	LECO Item No
60 grit	6052001	30-08-0060	PAPZO-60	810-217-300
80 grit			PAPZO-80
120 grit	6052003	30-08-0120	PAPZO-120	810-219-300
240 grit	6052006	30-08-0240		810-223-300
400 grit	6052010	30-08-0400		810-227-300
600 grit	6053002	30-08-0600		810-229-300
800 grit	6053004	30-08-0800	4040-0010	810-035-100
1000 grit	6053006	30-08-1000	4040-0011
1200 grit	6053008	30-08-1200	4040-0012	810-036-100

Comparison Table for 10" Diameter

Silicon Carbide Discs-Plain Backing to Buehler, Struers, & Lco

Grit Size	Our Item Number	Buehler Item No	Struers Item No	LECO Item No
60 grit	6054001	30-10-0060	PAPZI-60	812-374-300
120 grit	6054003	30-10-0120	PAPZI-120	812-375-300
240 grit	6054006	30-10-0240		812-377-300
400 grit	6054010	30-10-0400		812-379-300
600 grit	6055002	30-10-0600		812-380-300
800 grit	6055004	30-10-0800	4040-0071	812-217-200
1000 grit	6055006	30-10-1000	4040-0072
1200 grit	6055008	30-10-1200	4040-0073	812-219-200

Comparison Table for 12" Diameter

Silicon Carbide Discs-Plain Backing to Buehler, Struers, & Lco

Grit Size	Our Item Number	Buehler Item No	Struers Item No	LECO Item No
60 grit	6056001	30-12-0060	PAPZU-600	810-291-300
120 grit	6056003	30-12-0120	PAPZE-120	810-292-300
240 grit	6056006	30-12-0240		810-294-300
400 grit	6056010	30-12-0400		810-296-300
600 grit	6057002	30-12-0600		810-297-300
800 grit	6057004	30-12-0800	4040-0034
1000 grit	6057006	30-12-1000	4040-0035
1200 grit	6057008	30-12-1200	4040-0036

Comparison Table for 8" Diameter

Silicon Carbide Discs-PSA Adhesive Backing

Grit Size	Our Item Number	Buehler Item No	Struers Item No	LECO Item No
60 grit	6052001	30-08-0060	PAPZO-60	810-259-300
80 grit			PAPZO-80
120 grit	6052003	30-08-0120	PAPZO-120	810-261-300
240 grit	6052006	30-08-0240	PAPZO-240	810-265-300
400 grit	6052010	30-08-0400		810-269-300
600 grit	6053002	30-08-0600		810-034-500
800 grit	6053004	30-08-0800		810-033-100
1000 grit	6053006	30-08-1000
1200 grit	6053008	30-08-1200		810-034-100

Comparison Table for 10" Diameter

Silicon Carbide Discs-PSA Adhesive Backing

Grit Size	Our Item Number	Buehler Item No	Struers Item No	LECO Item No
60 grit	6054001	30-10-0060	PAPZI-60	812-367-300
80 grit			PAPZI-80
120 grit	6054003	30-10-0120	PAPZI-120	812-368-300
240 grit	6054006	30-10-0240		812-370-300
400 grit	6054010	30-10-0400		812-372-300
600 grit	6055002	30-10-0600		812-373-300
800 grit	6055004	30-10-0800
1000 grit	6055006	30-10-1000
1200 grit	6055008	30-10-1200

Comparison Table for 12" Diameter