How to Grind Sintered Carbide

There are various discs you can use on a grinder.

Sintered carbide is an extremely hard material made by the powder metallurgy process. It is reinforced with multiple types of carbides, including tungsten. This material comes in various sizes and can be formed to different angles. A grinder has a disc that is used to grind down or smooth out the edges of various materials. If you have a piece of sintered carbide that is too big or you want to grind off the edges, you can do it with any type of grinder.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag
• Dish soap
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. Set the piece of sintered carbide down on a flat surface. Clean off the edges with a clean rag. Dampen the rag with water and add dish soap, if necessary. Scrub the area thoroughly with the rag until all visible dirt and debris has been removed.

2. Mark the location on the sintered carbide where you will be grinding it down with the angle grinder. Plug in the angle grinder to the closest outlet and check the disc to ensure it is properly tightened down on the grinder.

3. Push the disc of the grinder up against the carbide where you want to grind it down. Grip the handle on the side of the angle grinder and press the button on the left side of the grinder. Place your left hand on top of the grinder.

4. Move the grinder back and forth over the sintered carbide at the desired location. Continue moving it until you have ground the sintered carbide down as far as you want it to go. Turn off the grinder and inspect the area to verify you ground it down properly.

5. Wipe the area clean with a rag to remove all debris left over from the grinding.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety goggles when you are working with a grinder. This will help protect your eyes from flying pieces of debris.

References

• Buehler: Sintered Carbides
• The Angle Grinder Guide: Top 5 Angle Grinders