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SCOTCH-BRITE BRISTLE DISCS BEAT THE BLUES
Conventional methods for doing this involve potentially harmful chemical treatments or wire brushes that are difficult to use and can shed dangerous sharp wire filaments. In response to the need for a safer, easier and more consistent approach, 3M Abrasive Systems has developed a new weld-blue removal technique using its patented Abrasive Bristle technology. Scotch-Brite Bristle Discs from 3M are a modern replacement for yesterday’s conventional abrasive brush products, they are moulded in one piece from a highly engineered composite containing an advanced aluminium oxide abrasive in a plastic binder material. The moulding is shaped into a disc with flexible bristles radiating from its centre. Stacked together into different widths to suit the application and mounted on conventional rotary grinding and finishing tools, Bristle Discs deliver a fast, consistent surface finish. In use, the discs wear evenly delivering constant performance right throughout their lives. “In our conversations with customers we realised that post-weld surface finishing was an area where slow, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous techniques still predominate,” says Jonathan McGargle, business development manager at 3M. “In industry today there is a simultaneous demand to provide better product finish and cut down on the use of harmful chemicals and wire brushes. We decided to see if we could develop a better approach.” The Metalworking team at the 3M Abrasive Systems development laboratory in Atherstone, Warwickshire began a project to investigate alternatives. After evaluating several different technologies, they discovered that Bristle Discs, originally developed to remove paint, sealant and corrosion from metal parts without damaging the substrate beneath, had exactly the characteristics required to solve the weld cleaning problem. “Our initial trials with Bristle Discs were very encouraging. We found the product’s conformability and aggression were just right for the job in hand so we decided to move into a pilot phase with a few key customers through our specialist distribution,” explains McGargle. “Customer feedback was fantastic, with improved speed and better surface finish. Operators like the easy, low pressure operation of the system too. We are now rolling out the system as a recommended best-practice for the removal of weld-discolouration in stainless steels.” The flexible, conformable structure of Bristle Discs, achieved through their polymer formulation, and the special curved shape of each individual bristle, makes them particularly effective on complex work pieces with intricate surface geometry. Bristle discs are available in 50mm and 75mm diameters and fit onto a special mandrel with an external cap for quick, easy tool changing, further boosting productivity.
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