While a grinding aid might sound like something complicated, it’s really very simple. Grinding aids are layers that welders apply to the grain surface of any coated product.
Once the layer is applied, the amount of heat generated while grinding is reduced. For some metals, this is not an issue because they do not become tacky or sticky while you grind.
These include the metals that are easy to grind, such as carbon steel. But for stainless steel, aluminum and other metals, a grinding aid is a huge help.
While overheating is rare, it does still happen, but if you decide to use a grinding aid, this won’t be a problem. Grinding aids, however, can be expensive and add to the manufacturing costs, so you’ll have to decide if they are worth it for your particular projects.
This will also mean a higher cost to the consumer, which should be factored into your decision to purchase a grinding aid.
Nevertheless, these grinding aids can be miracle-workers because they will not contaminate weld beads and require no special cleaning.