Manufacturing Knowledge Base

Hand stones are normally referred to as stones. For some users, the same term also refers to grinding wheels, but it is used here to refer to hand stones or bench stones. Some companies also refer to hand stones as files, abrasive files, stone files, or abrasive stones. Stones come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are classified by material, grit, shape, size, or application. Like grinding wheels, hand stones come in a variety of materials and structures. For example, hand stones can be made of silicon carbide (frequently abbreviated as SiC), aluminum oxide (frequently abbreviated as AlO, even though the correct formulation is Al2 O3 ), or borozon (a synthetic material). Borozon (cubic boron nitride) is a tough, long-lasting manmade abrasive. Stones are available with diamond particles in or on them. Other common minerals also can be used for stones, such as emery, garnet, quartz, and pumice. For general use, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are by far the most commonly used materials. Synthetic stones are bonded with a variety of agents hat provide different cutting characteristics. Resinoid stones are made from grit that is bonded with a resin.