What is the difference between CBN and diamond wheels?

CBN (cubic boron nitride) wheels and diamond wheels are both types of superabrasive wheels used for grinding, cutting, and shaping hard materials. However, there are some key differences between them:

1. Abrasive Material: The main difference lies in the abrasive material used in each type of wheel. Diamond wheels use industrial-grade diamonds as the abrasive material. 

Diamonds are known for their extreme hardness and exceptional abrasive properties, making diamond wheels highly effective for grinding and cutting hard materials.

On the other hand, CBN wheels use cubic boron nitride as the abrasive material. CBN is a synthetic material that has properties similar to diamonds in terms of hardness and abrasiveness. CBN is particularly effective for grinding and cutting ferrous materials such as steels, cast iron, and hardened tool steels.

2. Applications: Due to the difference in abrasive materials, diamond wheels and CBN wheels have specific applications where they excel. Diamond wheels are typically used for grinding and cutting non-ferrous materials such as carbide, ceramics, glass, and stones. They are also used for precision machining and lapping applications.

CBN wheels, on the other hand, are primarily used for grinding and cutting ferrous materials. They are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and tool manufacturing, where the materials being worked on are predominantly steels and iron alloys.

3. Heat Resistance: Another difference between diamond wheels and CBN wheels is their resistance to heat. Diamond has excellent thermal conductivity, allowing it to dissipate heat generated during grinding effectively. This makes diamond wheels suitable for applications that involve high heat generation.

CBN, on the other hand, has lower thermal conductivity compared to diamond but still exhibits better heat resistance than conventional abrasive materials. CBN wheels can withstand high grinding temperatures encountered when working with ferrous materials, reducing the risk of thermal damage to the workpiece.

4. Cost: The cost of diamond wheels and CBN wheels also differs. Diamond is a naturally occurring material and is more expensive to produce compared to synthetic CBN. As a result, diamond wheels tend to be more costly than CBN wheels.

In summary, the main differences between CBN and diamond wheels lie in the abrasive material used and their respective applications. Diamond wheels excel in grinding and cutting non-ferrous materials, while CBN wheels are particularly effective for working with ferrous materials. Understanding the specific properties and applications of each type of wheel helps in selecting the most appropriate one for a given grinding or cutting task.