These 4-1/2″ x 0.045″ aluminum oxide cut-off wheels are used in an angle grinder to cut metal, stainless steel, and similar materials. The older a cut-off wheel or abrasive wheel, the greater the chance of catastrophic failure. I’m not going to bet my safety, or anyone else’s, guessing as to whether my expired cut-off wheels are safe to use or not.
Cutting discs are manufactured using a resin to bond the abrasive together. Using an expired disc WILL result in disc failure, and if a disc fails there is a high probability of severe injury to the operator and anyone nearby. Disc failure is extremely dangerous and often involves the disc breaking, shattering or exploding while in use.
Like most folk I’ll use pretty much any grinding disc as long as they appear clean and solid – that said I have seen the effects of a faulty disc exploding at 15k rpm – not a pleasant experience. The resins used in modern discs are less stable than those of yester-year and so are more likely to degrade in time, but in my opinion the biggest issue is storage and handling of the discs – if they are left in the damp and bashed around then they are a much higher risk than those that are out of date but looked after.
Whilst cutting discs and grinding discs are considered essential tools in many industries, it is a fact that they can also be the cause of serious injuries and even fatalities if used incorrectly or without the proper PPE. All good quality discs will have an expiry date stamped on them somewhere. The reason that cutting and grinding discs have a shelf life is that the resin that is used to bind the disc material together breaks down over time as it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If you have any doubt about the age of your disc, throw it away and buy a new one.
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why do angle grinder discs have an expiry date Related Question:
Do angle grinder discs go out of date?
You can see the expiration year stamped on the wheel, on the metal bit towards the center. Cut-off wheels and grinding wheels should not be used past their expiration dates, and that’s if they’ve been properly stored and handled.
Do grinding discs have a shelf life?
It has always been Saint-Gobain’s recommendation that Resinoid Bonded grinding wheels be used up within 2 years from the date of manufacture.
When should you throw away a grinding disc?
If you do not know, a good “rule of thumb” is to discard the wheel when you are 1” away from the recess. Portable cup wheels must be discarded when the machine’s guard prevents proper grinding. In this case a proper guard will determine discard size by preventing additional grinding on the wheel’s rim.
Why do grinding discs explode?
Grinding operations generate tremendous amounts of heat. This heat causes expansion and if foreign materials are embedded in the stone then the differential rate of thermal expansion between the two materials can cause a wheel to shatter.
Why do cut off wheels break?
Attempting to cut work beyond the capacity of the wheel or the machine may cause wheel breakage. Loose wheel spindle, excessive end play, loose or vibrating machine parts such as the work table and the work holder may cause the wheel to bend in the cut and break.
Do angle grinders need a guard?
Personal protective gear, such as safety glasses and a face shield, and other PPE are often required as well. OSHA regulations require the use of guarding on angle grinders.
Can you use a cut off wheel on an angle grinder?
Usages. You can use cut-off discs for cutting metal bars, metal tubes and small pieces of metal sheets and plates. You can also cut out welds with them. For shortening the length of various bolts, it is also a good idea to use an angle grinder and a cut-off wheel.
How long do abrasive wheels last?
One of the most frequent questions we get asked is ‘How long does the Abrasive Wheels certificate last? ‘ The certification is valid for 3 years from the date of the successful completion of the training.
What are metal cut off discs made of?
Cut-off Wheels are made of abrasive grain bonded with an organic bond system and used for cutting, notching and grinding. They are used with both portable and stationary tools on numerous materials including aluminum, plastic, sheet metal, stainless steel and more.
What is the recommended lifespan for vitrified wheels?
It is generally known in the industry that under ideal storage conditions, a vitrified bonded grinding wheel has an almost infinite shelf life. However, the opportunity for damaging a wheel in storage increases with time and it is therefore recommended that stock be rotated to use the oldest wheels first.
Can you grind steel with diamond?
Diamond grinding wheels are not suitable for grinding steel because steel wears away the grinding wheel when it comes into contact with it during high speed grinding. Strictly speaking diamond wheels are used on carbides and the CBN wheels are used on steel.
What is a cutting disc?
Cutting discs are used for cutting all types of metal and other dense or non dense material like plastic or wood for fast and straight cuts. Branded and unbranded discs are available to fit most makes and models of cutters and have various bore sizes to fit the specific power tool.
When should I replace my angle grinder disc?
There seems to be no exact time for when you should replace an angle grinding disc. You can use them until the discs wear down and become less efficient and harder to work with. If you run your fingertips over the disc’s edge and it feels smooth, it’s a sign that it needs to be replaced.
What is the worn out diameter of a grinding disc that needs replacement?
Do not use grinding wheels when worn less than ½ of their original diameter. Replace the wheel when worn to ½ of the original diameter. When the grinding wheel is worn to the paper washer it should be replaced. 10.
When should I change my angle grinder blade?
You can buy several types of blades for an angle grinder, depending on what material you are cutting. The most common materials are wood, concrete, and metal. Always use the right blade, to help avoid personal injury, and replace it when it is worn out.
