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Zirconia Vs. Ceramic: Choose Best Sanding Belt for Metal

Zirconia Vs. Ceramic Sanding Belts

Choosing the right sanding belt is not an easy task for beginners. A wrong belt can cause damage to your workpiece as well as the belt sander. So, what are the best sanding belts for metal?

A sanding belt for metal is designed with ceramic, zirconia, aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide abrasive grains. Zirconia and Ceramic abrasive grains are considered as most effective sanding grains for metals. They both last longer than aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.

In the next section, we'll look at a full comparison between zirconia and ceramic sanding belts so you can find which is the best sanding belt for metal?


Comparison Chart (Zirconia Vs. Ceramic Sanding Belts)

zirconia vs. ceramic sanding belts comparison chart

 

ZIRCONIA SANDING BELT

CERAMIC SANDING BELT

GRAIN STRUCTURE

Zirconia Alumina abrasive grain is a coated & resin-bonded grains

Ceramic grain structures are similar to zirconia alumina. They are tough resin-coated grain

HEAT & PRESSURE RESISTANT

Zirconia belts are high heat and pressure resistance

Ceramic belts are less pressure and heat resistance

Zirconia needs more pressure for sanding metal. They are perfect for hard surfaces (not good for metal polishing)

Ceramic needs less pressure for metal sanding. They are good for hard surfaces and also metal polishing

GRINDING COMPATIBILITY

Zirconia belts perform excellent sanding with high-speed grinding machines

Ceramic grain are comparatively less suitable with high-speed grinding

The quality & efficiency of the metal workpieces are less affected by zirconia belts

The quality and efficiency of the metal workpiece are highly affected by ceramic belts

LIFESPAN & CUT-RATES

Zirconia have less lifespan & low cut rates

Ceramic belts have a longer lifespan & faster cut rate

COST

Zirconia belts are budget-friendly or less expensive sanding belts 

Ceramic sanding belts are much expensive

GRINDING APPLICATIONS

Zirconia sanding belt provides high-quality grinding on the following metals:

  • Stainless steel
  • Nickel alloy
  • Aluminum
  • Titanium
  • Cast iron
  • Carbon Steel
  • Blades, rotors, and welds

Ceramic belts can perform several metalworking applications, such as:

  • Aluminum castings
  • Stainless steel finishing
  • Titanium alloys (use in aerospace)
  • Mild steel mill scale

 

Learn More About Sanding discs

Previous article Disc Sander vs Belt Sander

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