Abrasive Media
Abrasive Media
Media, containing suitably sized abrasive, is the cutting tool of Abrasive Flow Machining and works by mechanically abrading i.e. by grinding away material. The Media is made by mixing abrasive grain into a flowable but firm plastic carrier, which is called the Media Base.
Media is specified by its Media Base viscosity plus abrasive size, type and quantity. Media viscosity is an important parameter in AFM. High viscosity (stiff) Media provides the highest material removal rates per unit of flow. Low viscosity Media provides a more flexible matrix and will flow through much smaller orifices.
Because each Media is made by blending a rubber-like polymer with a gel-like lubricating diluent, different viscosities are obtained by varying the ratio of polymer to diluent. 4mi GmbH are tailoring the Media properties to the individual application.