Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an alloy steel with a high chromium content (at least approx. 10.5%), which makes it corrosion-resistant. Common variants include austenitic stainless steels such as V2A or V4A.

Stainless steel places strict requirements on the grinding process. The material is tough, does not conduct heat well, and tends to discolour or deform during grinding. At the same time, it is often required to have an attractive appearance, in the case of visible surfaces or weld seams, for example.

Typical problems when grinding stainless steel:

• Abrasive wears very quickly
• Excessive heat development leads to tarnishing or discolouration

What are the important things to consider when grinding stainless steel?

• Use abrasives with additional grinding-active layers to reduce heat development
• Select sharp, self-sharpening abrasive grain
• Adjust pressure and speed
• Multi-stage grinding process instead of coarse “all-in-one” grinding