Precision Meets Power
From aerospace and automotive to oil & gas, medical, and manufacturing, Norton diamond and cBN abrasive wheels are engineered for consistency across the toughest materials in any industry.
When searching for a solution, it is important to understand the difference between the two abrasives. In general, cBN is used to grind ferrous materials. Because it reacts with iron, diamond is used to grind non-ferrous materials.
| Diamond Abrasives Work Best On: |
|---|
| Cemented carbide |
| Glass |
| Ceramics |
| Fiberglass |
| Plastics |
| Stone |
| Electronic components/materials |
| cBN Abrasives Work Best On: |
|---|
| High-speed tool steels |
| Die steels |
| Hardened carbon steels |
| Alloy steels |
| Aerospace alloys |
| Hardened stainless steel |
| Abrasion-resistant ferrous materials |
“We have a product for any application, and aside from the breadth of our technology, we can provide the know-how and the assistance to help our customers define and find the best possible solution for their needs. Whether it’s a product we have in stock or a custom, made-to-order spec, we’re there to consult on giving our customers the maximum return on their investment”
—Alfredo Barragan, Norton Application Engineer
Types & Uses
For each abrasive, Norton further offers a variety of bond options so we can match a solution to your specific need:
Resin Bond
Fully dense, plastic-based bond
- Tool and cutter grinding
- Centerless grinding
- Surface grinding
- Excellent vibration absorption and surface finishing
- General purpose applications
Vitrified Bond
Glass/ceramic bond with controlled porosity
- Automotive components
- Aerospace parts
- High-production precision grinding
Metal Bond
Dense, high-strength metallic bond
- Glass, ceramic, or carbide applications requiring extreme durability
- Aerospace applications
- Automotive applications
Electroplated
Nickel-plated single abrasive layer (not dressable)
- High-precision cutting
- Automated or complex geometries
- Moderate to light material removal
- Low to medium production
- Strip and recoat options available
MSL
Brazed Metal Single Layer (Not Dressable)
- Higher grit exposure for aggressive stock removal
- Heavy roughing
- Strip and recoat options available
Hybrid Bond
Brazed Metal Single Layer (Not Dressable)
- Tool and cutter grinding
- Carbide and HSS tools
- Hardened steels
Built for Your World
At Norton, our products are tested in the lab then tested again in your production environment. That means you can trust our Diamond and cBN superabrasive wheels to deliver:
- Higher productivity and greater efficiency
- More consistency and repeatability on part geometry and surface finish
- Grinding capability on even the most challenging materials, including Inconel and titanium
- Longer life with lower tooling and fixturing costs
What's In Stock
Check out our full portfolio of in-stock abrasives to find your solution. If we don’t carry something in inventory that meets your unique specifications, talk to your Norton rep about a custom, made-to-order option.
What’s Your Problem?
Contact us at 866-279-3520 to discuss made-to-order solutions to meet your specific needs or requirements.
Markets and Applications
Truing and Dressing
Proper care can keep your diamond and cBN tools performing better and longer. Truing and dressing are two essential maintenance techniques to ensure you get an optimum return on your investment. Learn more about Norton products and expertise in this article by Senior Corporate Application Engineer David Goetz.
Abrasive Process Solutions Lab
With more than 30 testing assets – including a high-tech robotic automation cell – the Norton APS lab can answer nearly any material removal or surface generation challenge you have. This lab is built to solve problems in process development, optimization, automation, and proof-of-concept testing.
iGrind by Norton
Created by Norton engineers and updated based on feedback from you, the Norton iGrind app features calculators and conversion tools designed to help optimize your grinding processes.
Related Content
Norton Winter Diamond and cBN Wheel Mounting, Truing, and Dressing Guide - 9050
Follow these steps for mounting, truing, and dressing to achieve the best results using Norton Winter diamond and cBN products.
Norton Abrasive Product Solutions Industrial Market Catalog - 7362
Industrial market stock catalog featuring a full line of coated, bonded, non-woven, and superabrasive products.
Norton Winter Paradigm Diamond Wheels for Aerospace Flyer - 8746
Norton Winter Paradigm offers a superior solution for grinding new aerospace materials, titanium alloys, advanced ceramics and composites.
Norton Winter Fine Grinding GPK Wheels - 7954
Norton fine grinding GPK (Grinding with Planetary Kinematics) diamond or cBN button wheels are designed to provide superior finishes, flatness and parallelism.
Norton Winter Rotary Truing and Dressing Brochure - 8535
Understand the differences between form roll plunge truing and dressing and traverse profile truing and dressing, and learn how Norton can assist with your grinding operation.
Precision Customer Seminar
Explore precision grinding through a blend of classroom instruction, breakout sessions, expert Q&A, and exclusive plant and lab tours. You will gain knowledge about both conventional vitrified and superabrasive technologies in order to optimize your grinding processes for maximum productivity and efficiency.