Work safely with Grinding Techniques and keep the abrasive edge
The process of extracting, refining and transporting petrochemicals is fraught with danger. Extraction, in a South African context, will include mining of coal for processing into fuel oils and other essential hydrocarbon derivatives.
The mining and processing of petrochemical is hazardous and requires very stringent safety controls. This is to ensure that workers and associated personnel remain safe. Threat prevention is the responsibility of everyone in the value chain.
Abrasive products, such as cutting and grinding discs, are essential to the mining and petrochemical industry. Be it for cutting pipe sections, grinding and blending welds, or cutting of concrete slabs – the humble angle grinder has become part and parcel of the process. These same angle grinders and abrasives may prove to be a safety risk if not used correctly and under strict control.
With focus on improving safety of cutting and grinding applications, we have developed several products within the Superflex range to provide for a better working condition, while retaining excellent performance and overall cost reduction. Visit us at the upcoming African petrochemical roadshow set for 11 July in Secunda to see some of these products in action.
Our Cut-Grind type products are specifically designed to replace traditional unsafe practices of using cutting discs for cleaning out welds and are classified as a Type 27 angle grinding discs. These are safe to operate as both cutting and light grinding discs, effectively reducing a two-step process, to only one- safely!
Dual-Purpose Cutting and Grinding disc
The Dual-Purpose Cutting and Grinding disc, and the Superflex Cool cut are two examples from our Cut/Grind product range for use on 115mm to 150mm angle grinders. These products are ideal for cutting, deburring, weld blending and light grinding operations on both mild and stainless steels.
For a product that lowers operator fatigue, the Superflex “Cool” disc speeds up operation and reduces application vibration and temperature resulting in reduced overall downtime. The cooler grind that is made possible by the design of our product is especially important on Stainless Steels and other high alloy materials where oxidation and cracking may be an issue. These materials are prevalent in tanks, pipes and containers used in both the mining and petrochemical fields.
Superflex Heavy Duty and INOX Pipeliner angle grinding discs are available in thicknesses of 4.1mm to 7.2mm to fit on 230mm angle grinders, with the thinner discs typically being used for back grinding and notching applications. The design of the Pipeliner discs ensure that they are safe for use on rough grinding applications but thin enough to be used in smaller spaces, and for finer grinding work. A typical application is on pipes, where a root weld has been laid down and needs to be back ground before being filled. Using thicker angle grinding discs (typically 6mm or thicker) may result in grinding away of the bevel and possible damage to the material.
With advances in grain, bond and reinforcing technology, along with constant research and further development, our abrasive products will continue to provide safer working conditions, with an emphasis on enhancing efficiency.
As a local manufacturer, we are proud to carry the oSa certified mark – only awarded by the Organisation for Safety in Abrasives to those passing the strict admission criteria, which ensures that products undergo rigorous testing and approval processes, with operator safety at the top of the list!
Being a preferred industry partner since 1981, we pride ourselves on bringing only the best to the industry, with added value of being able to offer custom solutions to almost any abrasive application.
