Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Henry A Larmie

William P Wood

Abrasive grain including manganese oxide therein are provided. The inclusion of manganese oxide can be utilized to reduce the transition temperature of transitional alumina(s) to alpha alumina(s), during the formation of the abrasive grain. Further, manganese oxide presence can be utilized to generate sintered abrasive grain having a submicrometer, faceted microstructure. The abrasive grain are useful in abrasive articles such as coated abrasives, three-dimensional, low density abrasives, and bonded abrasives.

Abrasive grain comprising manganese oxide

A method of preparing preferred abrasive grain includes: preparing a dispersion including alpha alumina oxide monohydrate and zirconia sol therein; converting the dispersion to base grit material; and sintering the base grit to form abrasive grains. The presence of the zirconia sol within the dispersion from which the base grits are formed provides an improved abrasive grain. The improved abrasive grain are useful in abrasive products.

Abrasive grain containing alumina and zirconia

A preferred abrasive grain comprises a sintered product of a precursor material comprising alumina, zirconia, and rare earth oxide. The preferred abrasive grain has an average hardness of at least about 21 GPa and an average toughness of at least about 4 MPa.multidot.m.sup.1/2. A method of preparing preferred abrasive grain is provided. The improved abrasive grain are useful in abrasive products.

Abrasive grain having rare earth oxide therein

A method of preparing abrasive grain includes: preparing a dispersion including alpha alumina oxide monohydrate and ceria sol therein; converting the dispersion to base grit material; and sintering the base grit to form abrasive grains. The grain are useful in abrasive products.

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Oakdale, MN, United States of America

Henry A Larmie