Abrasive Wheel Markings Guide
Understanding Wheel Specification
Standardized wheel markings identify the abrasive type, grit size, wheel grade, and bond/reinforcement. These markings provide essential information about a grinding wheel’s composition, performance, and suitable applications. Understanding the code helps you select the right wheel for your needs. For example: A60T BF.
01 Abrasive Type
The first letter or letters identify the abrasive material.
- A — Aluminum Oxide
- Tough and durable; suitable for grinding ferrous metals.
- C — Silicon Carbide
- Sharp and friable; suitable for non-ferrous metals and non-metallic materials.
- WA — White Aluminum Oxide
- High-purity and friable; ideal for hard materials, precision grinding, and fine finishes.
- SA — Monocrystalline Aluminum Oxide
- Sharp and tough; suitable for precision grinding of stainless steel, hardened steel, and alloy steels.
- AZ — Zirconia Aluminum Oxide
- Highly tough and durable; suitable for heavy-duty grinding and rapid material removal on steel.
- AC
- A blend of aluminum oxide (A) and silicon carbide (C).
02 Grit Size
The number indicates the abrasive grain size. Lower numbers cut faster, while higher numbers produce a finer finish.
- 16-24 Coarse
- Rapid stock removal and rough grinding.
- 36-60 Medium
- General-purpose grinding with a balance of cutting performance and surface finish.
- 80-220+ Fine
- Fine finishing and precision grinding.
03 Wheel Grade
The letter indicates how firmly the bond holds the abrasive grains. It does not indicate the hardness of the abrasive itself.
- E-H Soft
- Releases worn grains more readily to expose fresh cutting edges. Suitable for harder materials.
- I-P Medium
- Balances cutting performance and wheel life for general-purpose grinding.
- Q-Z Hard
- Retains abrasive grains longer. Suitable for softer materials and applications requiring longer wheel life.
04 Bond & Reinforcement
The final letters identify the bond type and reinforcement.
- B — Resinoid Bond
- A synthetic-resin bond commonly used for high-speed cutting and grinding.
- F — Fiberglass Reinforcement
- Increases wheel strength, stability, and resistance to breakage.
- BF — Reinforced Resinoid Bond
- A resinoid bond combined with fiberglass reinforcement.
- BF2 — Double Fiberglass Reinforcement
- A resinoid bond with two fiberglass reinforcing layers for added strength and stability.