Abrasive crowns are grinding (thinning) and polishing tools used on ornamental rock preparation, like marble and granite, with the objective of promoting a good finish. A series of crowns were prepared using polyester with 85, 80 and 75% (in weight) of silica in the form of quartz, cured in moulds in the shape of industrial crowns. The final tests were made using the industrial facilities of a company specializing in ornamental rock production. Measurements of the surface roughness were performed. The wearing performance of the abrasive crowns was assessed by measuring the reduction in its dimensions. The results showed that the silica (quartz) embedded in polyester crowns can be used as commercial abrasive tools resulting in an alternative product of satisfactory quality. The silica-polyester crowns presented a smaller weight loss than commercially available crowns, resulting in a longer useful life of the tool while providing a similar surface quality in the case of the 85% silica crowns.
Abrasives crowns; roughness; abrasion; silicon oxide
