EPOXY-FUNCTIONAL SILANE COUPLING AGENTS, SURFACE-MODIFIED ABRASIVE PARTICLES, AND BONDED ABRASIVE ARTICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure broadly relates to silane coupling agents and to resin bond abrasive articles made using them.

BACKGROUND

Bonded abrasive articles have abrasive particles retained in a binder (also known in the art as a bonding matrix or binder material) that bonds them together as a shaped mass. Examples of typical bonded abrasives include grinding wheels, stones, hones, and cut-off wheels. The binder can be an organic resin (resin bond), a ceramic or glassy material (vitreous bond), or a metal (metal bond).

Cut-off wheels are typically relatively thin wheels used for general cutting operations. The wheels are typically about 1 to about 200 centimeters in diameter, and several millimeters to several centimeters thick (with greater thickness for the larger diameter wheels). They may be operated at speeds from about 1000 to 50000 revolutions per minute, and are used for operations such as cutting polymer, composite metal, or glass, for example, to nominal lengths. Cut-off wheels are also known as "industrial cut-off saw blades" and, in some settings such as foundries, as "chop saws". As their name implies, cutoff wheels are used to cut stock such as, for example, metal rods, by abrading through the stock.

With bonded abrasive articles, properties such as cutting rate and durability are important. For example, in the case of cut-off wheels, cutting performance may decline by more than half after relatively short usage. There is a continuing need for new resin bond abrasives that have improved abrading properties and/or reduced cost at the same performance level.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a surface of a substrate having chemically bound surface hydroxyl groups, the method comprising:

providing an epoxy-functional coupling agent comprising a reaction product of a polyepoxide; and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR^R ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3;

R2 represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and

each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group; and contacting the epoxy-functional coupling agent with the surface of the substrate. Methods according to the present disclosure are particularly useful for treating the surface of a substrate (e.g., alumina or silica abrasive particles) that has chemically bound surface hydroxyl groups that can condense with the epoxy-functional silane coupling agent so it can better bond with an organic binder material.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present disclosure provides an abrasive particle having an outer surface with an adhesion-modifying layer covalently bound thereto, wherein the surface-modifying layer comprises a reaction product of an epoxy-functional coupling agent and hydroxyl groups covalently bound to the outer surface of the abrasive particle, wherein the epoxy-functional coupling agent comprises a reaction product of:

a poly epoxide; and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR!R ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3;

R2 represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and

each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group.

Treated abrasive particles according to the present disclosure are useful in abrasive articles, especially including resin bond abrasive articles (e.g., grinding wheels and cut-off wheels) that comprise the treated abrasive particles retained in a binder material. Unexpectedly, the present inventors have found that resin bond abrasive articles such as resin bond cut-off wheels containing these surface- modified abrasive particles (i.e., using the epoxy-functional coupling agents of the present disclosure) may exhibit dramatically less degradation in abrading properties during use than present alternatives, especially if water is used in or as an abrading fluid, or if used in humid environments.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides an epoxy-functional coupling agent comprising a reaction product of:

a polyepoxide and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR!R ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3;

R ² represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group, wherein, on an average basis, no more than half of the epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane.

As used herein, the term "chemically bound" means that atoms and/or groups are bonded by other than merely physical adsorption and/or hydrogen bonding.

As used herein, the term "epoxy group" refers to a saturated three-membered cyclic ether moiety

As used herein, the term "resin bond" is equivalent to the term "resin bonded", and is used here in accordance with common practice in the abrasive art.

As used herein, the term "phenolic resin" refers to a synthetic thermosetting resin obtained by the reaction of at least one phenol (e.g., phenol, resorcinol, m-cresol, 3,5-xylenol, t-butylphenol, and/or p- phenylphenol) with at least one aldehyde (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chloral, butyraldehyde, furfural, and/or acrolein).

As used herein, the term "polyepoxide" refers to a compound having at least two epoxy groups. Features and advantages of the present disclosure will be further understood upon consideration of the detailed description as well as the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary resin bond abrasive cut-off wheel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of exemplary resin bond abrasive cut-off wheel shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

Repeated use of reference characters in the specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the disclosure. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the disclosure. The figures may not be drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred epoxy-functional coupling agents according to the present disclosure comprises a reaction product of a polyepoxide and an aminosilane.

Useful poly epoxides have at least two epoxy groups. For example, the polyepoxide may have at least three epoxy groups, at least four epoxy groups, at least five epoxy groups, or even at least six epoxy groups. Many polyepoxides are commercially available. Others can be readily synthesized by conventional methods.

Exemplary polyepoxides include monomelic polyepoxides, oligomeric polyepoxides, polymeric polyepoxides. Suitable polyepoxides may contain one or more glycidyl groups, be free of glycidyl groups, or contain a mixture of glycidyl and non-glycidyl epoxy groups. Useful polyepoxides may be include, for example, aromatic polyepoxides, alicyclic polyepoxides, and aliphatic polyepoxides.

Mixtures of polyepoxides may also be used.

Examples of suitable polyepoxides containing glycidyl groups include bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, bisphenol F diglycidyl ether, polyglycidyl ethers of polyhydric phenols such as: Bisphenol A-type resins and their derivatives, epoxy cresol-novolac resins, epoxy phenol-novolac resins, and glycidyl esters of aromatic carboxylic acids (e.g., phthalic acid diglycidyl ester, isophthalic acid diglycidyl ester, trimellitic acid triglycidyl ester, and pyromellitic acid tetraglycidyl ester), and Ν,Ν,Ν',Ν'-tetraglycidyl- 4,4'-methylenebisbenzenamine, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, tetramethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polytetramethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, glycerol triglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether, sorbitol polyglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, polyglycidyl esters of polyvalent fatty acids include diglycidyl oxalate, diglycidyl maleate, diglycidyl succinate, diglycidyl glutarate, diglycidyl adipate, and diglycidyl pimelate. Examples of commercially available polyepoxides containing glycidyl groups include those having the trade designation ARALDITE (e.g., ARALDITE MY-720, ARALDITE MY-721, ARALDITE 0510, ARALDITE PY-720, and ARALDITE EPN 1179), available from Huntsman Chemical Company; those having the trade designation EPON RESIN (e.g., EPON RESIN 828, EPON RESIN 826, EPON RESIN 862 and EPON RESIN CS-377) available from Momentive Specialty Chemicals (Houston, Tex.); and aromatic polyepoxides having the trade designations DER (e.g., DER 330), and DEN (e.g., DEN 438 and DEN 439). In some preferred embodiments, the polyepoxide comprises an epoxidized novolac or resole resin. In some preferred embodiments, the polyepoxide comprises N,N-diglycidyl-4-glycidyloxyaniline.

Examples of suitable polyepoxides that are free of glycidyl groups include

epoxycyclohexanecarboxylates (e.g., 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (available, for example, under the trade designation ERL-4221 from Dow Chemical Co., 3,4-epoxy-2- methylcyclohexylmethyl 3, 4-epoxy-2 -methylcyclohexanecarboxylate, bis(3,4-epoxy-6- methylcyclohexylmethyl) adipate, 3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxy-6- methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (available, for example, under the trade designation ERL-4201 from Dow Chemical Co.); vinylcyclohexene dioxide (available, for example, under the trade designation ERL-4206 from Dow Chemical Co.); bis(2,3-epoxycyclopentyl)ether (available, for example, under the trade designation ERL-0400 from Dow Chemical Co.), bis(3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl) adipate (available, for example, under the trade designation ERL-4289 from Dow Chemical Co.), dipenteric dioxide (available, for example, under the trade designation "ERL-4269" from Dow Chemical Co.), 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl-5,l'-spiro-3',4'-epoxycyclohexane-l,3-d ioxane, 2,2-bis(3,4- epoxycyclohexyl)propane, epoxidized polybutadiene, and epoxidized soybean oil.

Of these, epoxidized soybean oil (CAS Reg. No. 8013-07-8) is preferred for use in making epoxy-functional coupling agents for use as a surface treatment for abrasive particles. Epoxidized soybean oil (also called epoxidized soya bean oil) is readily available and one of the lowest-cost vegetable oils in the world. Epoxidized soybean oil is the result of the oxidation of soybean oil with hydrogen peroxide and either acetic or formic acid. Epoxidized soybean oil is industrially available in large volume at a relatively low nts

and

Accordingly, it is suitable for use as a source of polyepoxide for practicing the present disclosure. Similarly, epoxidized derivatives of other polyunsaturated vegetable oils may also be used as sources for the polyepoxide. Examples include epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized canola oil, epoxidized cottonseed oil, epoxidized safflower oil, and epoxidized sunflower oil.

Useful aminosilanes for making epoxy-functional coupling agents according to the present disclosure are represented by the formula

HNR!R ²

wherein R1 represents -Z-S1L3, and R^ represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl).

Each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferred linking groups Z include: aliphatic and alicyclic groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as, for example, methylene, ethan-l,2-diyl, propan-l,2-diyl, propane-l,3-diyl, butane- 1,4-diyl, and cyclohexan- 1,4-diyl, -CH2CH2OCH2CH2-, -CH2CH20(CH2CH2)2-; and aromatic groups (e.g., arylene, and alkylenylarylene) such as, for example, phenylene and— (CH2) _n where n = 1, 2, or Each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group (i.e., a group that spontaneously dissociates from the silicon atom on exposure to water). Examples of hydrolyzable groups

include -CI, -Br, -OH, -OC(=0)CH ₃ , -OCH3, -OSi(CH ₃ ) ₃ , and -OC ₂ H ₅ .

Exemplary useful aminosilanes include bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)amine,

bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl)amine, N-methylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and N- methylaminopropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, all available from Gelest, Morrisville, Pennsylvania, as well as N-methylaminopropyltriethoxysilane, which can be made by conventional methods.

On an average basis, no more than half of the epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane. In some embodiments, from one to three epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane. In some embodiments, one or two epoxy groups of the polyepoxide is reacted with the aminosilane.

In general, simple mixing with optional mild heating is sufficient to the aminosilane with the polyepoxide to form the epoxy-functional coupling agent. If desired, the reaction may be carried out in an organic solvent or under solventless conditions.

Some sterically hindered or substituted aminosilanes and polyepoxides may need higher reaction temperatures to form the epoxy-functional coupling agent due to their lower reactivity. In this case, a blend of unreacted aminosilane and polyepoxide can be applied on substrates, and then the actual adhesion promoter can be generated in situ during further processing steps (e.g. resin curing) at high temperatures.

Combinations of more than one epoxy-functional coupling agent according to the present disclosure may be used. For some applications, it may be desirable to further include conventional coupling agents with the epoxy-functional silane coupling agent(s) described hereinabove.

The epoxy-functional silane coupling agent is useful for treating the surface of a substrate such that it can react with a precursor binder material and serve the function of a coupling agent for epoxy- resin-reactive precursor binder systems (e.g., phenolic resins, epoxy resins, aminoplast resins, two-part polyurethanes, polyisocyanates, and hydroxy- or amino-function acrylic resins) and result in a bonded abrasive article with improve anchoring of the abrasive particles under at least some abrading conditions. Typically, this can be accomplished under solvent-free conditions by simply applying the epoxy- functional silane coupling agent to the substrate; however, solvent may be used if desired, for example, to achieve very low coating weight.

The epoxy-functional silane coupling agent is especially useful for treating the surface of an abrasive particle (e.g., as described hereinbelow), such that it can react with a precursor binder material, and result in a bonded, coated or nonwoven abrasive article with improved anchoring of the abrasive particles under at least some abrading conditions. Typically, this can be accomplished under solvent-free conditions by simply applying the epoxy-functional silane coupling agent to the abrasive particle;

however, solvent may be used if desired. Referring now to FIG. 1, exemplary resin bond abrasive cut-off wheel 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has center hole 112 used for attaching cut-off wheel 100 to, for example, a power driven tool (not shown). Cut-off wheel 100 includes optional abrasive particles 20 (e.g., shaped and/or crushed abrasive particles surface-treated with epoxy-functional aminosilane coupling agent according to the present disclosure) and/or optional conventionally crushed and sized abrasive particles 30, and resin bond 25.

Referring now to FIG. 2, cut-off wheel 100 includes optional abrasive particles (e.g., shaped and/or crushed abrasive particles) 20 and/or optional conventionally-crushed abrasive particles 30, and binder material 25. Cut-off wheel 100 has optional first scrim 115 and optional second scrim 116, which are disposed on opposed major surfaces of cut-off wheel 100.

Resin bond abrasive articles (e.g., grinding wheels and cut-off wheels) according to the present disclosure are generally made by a molding process. During molding, a precursor binder material, either liquid organic, powdered inorganic, powdered organic, or a combination of thereof, is mixed with the abrasive particles. In some instances, a liquid medium (either resin or a solvent) is first applied to the abrasive particles to wet their outer surface, and then the wetted particles are mixed with a powdered medium. Resin bond abrasive articles (e.g., abrasive wheels) according to the present disclosure may be made by compression molding, injection molding, transfer molding, or the like. The molding can be done either by hot or cold pressing or any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art.

The resin bond comprises one or more organic binder materials Organic binder materials are typically included in an amount of from 5 to 30 percent, more typically 10 to 25, and more typically 15 to 24 percent by weight, based of the total weight of the resin bond abrasive wheel. Phenolic resin is the most commonly used organic binder material, and may be used in both the powder form and liquid state. Although phenolic resins are widely used, it is within the scope of this disclosure to use other organic binder materials including, for example, epoxy resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, aminoplasts, and epoxy- reactive acrylic binders. The organic binder material may also be modified with other binder materials to improve or alter the properties of the binder material.

Catalysts and/or initiators may be added to precursor organic binder materials (i.e., material that cure to form the binder material) depending on the desired organic binder material. Typically, heat is applied to advance curing of the precursor organic binder materials; however, other sources of energy (e.g., microwave radiation, ultraviolet light, visible light) may also be used. The specific curatives and amounts used will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Useful phenolic resins include novolac and resole phenolic resins. Novolac phenolic resins are characterized by being acid-catalyzed and having a ratio of formaldehyde to phenol of less than one, typically between 0.5: 1 and 0.8: 1. Resole phenolic resins are characterized by being alkaline catalyzed and having a ratio of formaldehyde to phenol of greater than or equal to one, typically from 1 : 1 to 3 : 1. Novolac and resole phenolic resins may be chemically modified (e.g., by reaction with epoxy compounds), or they may be unmodified. Exemplary acidic catalysts suitable for curing phenolic resins include sulfuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, oxalic, and p-toluenesulfonic acids. Alkaline catalysts suitable for curing phenolic resins include sodium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, organic amines, or sodium carbonate.

Phenolic resins are well-known and readily available from commercial sources. Examples of commercially available novolac resins include DUREZ 1364, a two-step, powdered phenolic resin

(marketed by Durez Corporation of Addison, Texas under the trade designation VARCUM (e.g., 29302)), or HEXION AD5534 RESIN (marketed by Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky). Examples of commercially available resole phenolic resins useful in practice of the present disclosure include those marketed by Durez Corporation under the trade designation VARCUM (e.g., 29217, 29306, 29318, 29338, 29353); those marketed by Ashland Chemical Co. of Bartow, Florida under the trade designation AEROFENE (e.g., AEROFENE 295); and those marketed by Kangnam Chemical Company Ltd. of Seoul, South Korea under the trade designation "PHENOLITE" (e.g., PHENOLITE TD-2207).

Curing temperatures of organic precursor binder materials will vary with the material chosen and wheel design. Selection of suitable conditions is within the capability of one of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary conditions for a phenolic binder may include an applied pressure of about 20 tons per 4 inches diameter (244 kg/cm^) at room temperature followed by heating at temperatures up to about 185°C for sufficient time to cure the organic precursor binder material.

In some embodiments, the resin bond abrasive wheels include from about 10 to about 65 percent by weight of abrasive particles (e.g., shaped and/or crushed abrasive particles); typically 30 to 60 percent by weight, and more typically 40 to 60 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the binder material and abrasive particles.

Abrasive particles (e.g., shaped and/or crushed abrasive particles) composed of crystallites of alpha alumina, magnesium alumina spinel, and a rare earth hexagonal aluminate may be prepared using sol-gel precursor alpha alumina particles according to methods described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,213,591 (Celikkaya et al.) and U.S. Publ. Patent Appln. Nos. 2009/0165394 Al (Culler et al.) and 2009/0169816 Al (Erickson et al).

In some embodiments, alpha alumina based abrasive particles (e.g., shaped abrasive particles) can be made according to a multistep process. Briefly, the method comprises the steps of making either a seeded or non-seeded sol-gel alpha alumina precursor dispersion that can be converted into alpha alumina; filling one or more mold cavities having the desired outer shape of the shaped abrasive particle with the sol-gel, drying the sol-gel to form precursor abrasive particles; removing the precursor shaped abrasive particles from the mold cavities; calcining the precursor shaped abrasive particles to form calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles, and then sintering the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles to form shaped abrasive particles. The process will now be described in greater detail.

The first process step involves providing either a seeded or non-seeded dispersion of an alpha alumina precursor that can be converted into alpha alumina. The alpha alumina precursor dispersion often comprises a liquid that is a volatile component. In one embodiment, the volatile component is water. The dispersion should comprise a sufficient amount of liquid for the viscosity of the dispersion to be sufficiently low to enable filling mold cavities and replicating the mold surfaces, but not so much liquid as to cause subsequent removal of the liquid from the mold cavity to be prohibitively expensive. In one embodiment, the alpha alumina precursor dispersion comprises from 2 percent to 90 percent by weight of the particles that can be converted into alpha alumina, such as particles of aluminum oxide monohydrate (boehmite), and at least 10 percent by weight, or from 50 percent to 70 percent, or 50 percent to 60 percent, by weight of the volatile component such as water. Conversely, the alpha alumina precursor dispersion in some embodiments contains from 30 percent to 50 percent, or 40 percent to 50 percent, by weight solids.

Aluminum oxide hydrates other than boehmite can also be used. Boehmite can be prepared by known techniques or can be obtained commercially. Examples of commercially available boehmite include products having the trade designations "DISPERAL", and "DISPAL", both available from Sasol North America, Inc. of Houston, Texas, or "HiQ-40" available from BASF Corporation of Florham Park, New Jersey. These aluminum oxide monohydrates are relatively pure; that is, they include relatively little, if any, hydrate phases other than monohydrates, and have a high surface area.

The physical properties of the resulting shaped abrasive particles will generally depend upon the type of material used in the alpha alumina precursor dispersion. In one embodiment, the alpha alumina precursor dispersion is in a gel state. As used herein, a "gel" is a three dimensional network of solids dispersed in a liquid.

The alpha alumina precursor dispersion may contain a modifying additive or precursor of a modifying additive. The modifying additive can function to enhance some desirable property of the abrasive particles or increase the effectiveness of the subsequent sintering step. Modifying additives or precursors of modifying additives can be in the form of soluble salts, typically water soluble salts. They typically consist of a metal-containing compound and can be a precursor of oxide of magnesium, zinc, iron, silicon, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, hafnium, chromium, yttrium, praseodymium, samarium, ytterbium, neodymium, lanthanum, gadolinium, cerium, dysprosium, erbium, titanium, and mixtures thereof. The particular concentrations of these additives that can be present in the alpha alumina precursor dispersion can be varied based on skill in the art.

Typically, the introduction of a modifying additive or precursor of a modifying additive will cause the alpha alumina precursor dispersion to gel. The alpha alumina precursor dispersion can also be induced to gel by application of heat over a period of time. The alpha alumina precursor dispersion can also contain a nucleating agent (seeding) to enhance the transformation of hydrated or calcined aluminum oxide to alpha alumina. Nucleating agents suitable for this disclosure include fine particles of alpha alumina, alpha ferric oxide or its precursor, titanium oxides and titanates, chrome oxides, or any other material that will nucleate the transformation. The amount of nucleating agent, if used, should be sufficient to effect the transformation of alpha alumina. Nucleating such alpha alumina precursor dispersions is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,744,802 (Schwabel). A peptizing agent can be added to the alpha alumina precursor dispersion to produce a more stable hydrosol or colloidal alpha alumina precursor dispersion. Suitable peptizing agents are monoprotic acids or acid compounds such as acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, and nitric acid. Multiprotic acids can also be used but they can rapidly gel the alpha alumina precursor dispersion, making it difficult to handle or to introduce additional components thereto. Some commercial sources of boehmite contain an acid titer (such as absorbed formic or nitric acid) that will assist in forming a stable alpha alumina precursor dispersion.

The alpha alumina precursor dispersion can be formed by any suitable means, such as, for example, by simply mixing aluminum oxide monohydrate with water containing a peptizing agent or by forming an aluminum oxide monohydrate slurry to which the peptizing agent is added.

Defoamers or other suitable chemicals can be added to reduce the tendency to form bubbles or entrain air while mixing. Additional chemicals such as wetting agents, alcohols, or coupling agents can be added if desired. The alpha alumina abrasive particles may contain silica and iron oxide as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,645,619 (Erickson et al.). The alpha alumina abrasive particles may contain zirconia as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,551,963 (Larmie). Alternatively, the alpha alumina abrasive particles can have a microstructure or additives as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,277,161 (Castro).

The second process step involves providing a mold having at least one mold cavity, and preferably a plurality of cavities. The mold can have a generally planar bottom surface and a plurality of mold cavities. The plurality of cavities can be formed in a production tool. The production tool can be a belt, a sheet, a continuous web, a coating roll such as a rotogravure roll, a sleeve mounted on a coating roll, or die. In one embodiment, the production tool comprises polymeric material. Examples of suitable polymeric materials include thermoplastics such as polyesters, polycarbonates, poly(ether sulfone), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyurethanes, polyvinylchloride, polyolefin, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene or combinations thereof, or thermosetting materials. In one embodiment, the entire tooling is made from a polymeric or thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, the surfaces of the tooling in contact with the sol-gel while drying, such as the surfaces of the plurality of cavities, comprises polymeric or thermoplastic materials and other portions of the tooling can be made from other materials. A suitable polymeric coating may be applied to a metal tooling to change its surface tension properties by way of example.

A polymeric or thermoplastic tool can be replicated off a metal master tool. The master tool will have the inverse pattern desired for the production tool. The master tool can be made in the same manner as the production tool. In one embodiment, the master tool is made out of metal, e.g., nickel and is diamond turned. The polymeric sheet material can be heated along with the master tool such that the polymeric material is embossed with the master tool pattern by pressing the two together. A polymeric or thermoplastic material can also be extruded or cast onto the master tool and then pressed. The thermoplastic material is cooled to solidify and produce the production tool. If a thermoplastic production tool is utilized, then care should be taken not to generate excessive heat that may distort the thermoplastic production tool limiting its life. More information concerning the design and fabrication of production tooling or master tools can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5, 152,917 (Pieper et al.); 5,435,816 (Spurgeon et al.); 5,672,097 (Hoopman et al.); 5,946,991 (Hoopman et al.); 5,975,987 (Hoopman et al.); and 6, 129,540 (Hoopman et al.).

Access to cavities can be from an opening in the top surface or bottom surface of the mold. In some instances, the cavities can extend for the entire thickness of the mold. Alternatively, the cavities can extend only for a portion of the thickness of the mold. In one embodiment, the top surface is substantially parallel to bottom surface of the mold with the cavities having a substantially uniform depth. At least one side of the mold, that is, the side in which the cavities are formed, can remain exposed to the surrounding atmosphere during the step in which the volatile component is removed.

The cavities have a specified three-dimensional shape to make the shaped abrasive particles. The depth dimension is equal to the perpendicular distance from the top surface to the lowermost point on the bottom surface. The depth of a given cavity can be uniform or can vary along its length and/or width. The cavities of a given mold can be of the same shape or of different shapes.

The third process step involves filling the cavities in the mold with the alpha alumina precursor dispersion (e.g., by a conventional technique). In some embodiments, a knife roll coater or vacuum slot die coater can be used. A mold release can be used to aid in removing the particles from the mold if desired. Typical mold release agents include oils such as peanut oil or mineral oil, fish oil, silicones, polytetrafluoroethylene, zinc stearate, and graphite. In general, mold release agent such as peanut oil, in a liquid, such as water or alcohol, is applied to the surfaces of the production tooling in contact with the sol- gel such that between about 0.1 mg/in^ (0.02 mg/cm^) to about 3.0 mg/in^ (0.46 mg/cm^), or between about 0.1 mg/in^ (0.02 mg/cm^) to about 5.0 mg/in^ (0.78 mg/cm^) of the mold release agent is present per unit area of the mold when a mold release is desired. In some embodiments, the top surface of the mold is coated with the alpha alumina precursor dispersion. The alpha alumina precursor dispersion can be pumped onto the top surface.

Next, a scraper or leveler bar can be used to force the alpha alumina precursor dispersion fully into the cavity of the mold. The remaining portion of the alpha alumina precursor dispersion that does not enter cavity can be removed from top surface of the mold and recycled. In some embodiments, a small portion of the alpha alumina precursor dispersion can remain on the top surface and in other embodiments the top surface is substantially free of the dispersion. The pressure applied by the scraper or leveler bar is typically less than 100 psi (0.7 MPa), less than 50 psi (0.3 MPa), or even less than 10 psi (69 kPa). In some embodiments, no exposed surface of the alpha alumina precursor dispersion extends substantially beyond the top surface to ensure uniformity in thickness of the resulting shaped abrasive particles.

The fourth process step involves removing the volatile component to dry the dispersion.

Desirably, the volatile component is removed by fast evaporation rates. In some embodiments, removal of the volatile component by evaporation occurs at temperatures above the boiling point of the volatile component. An upper limit to the drying temperature often depends on the material the mold is made from. For polypropylene tooling the temperature should be less than the melting point of the plastic. In one embodiment, for a water dispersion of between about 40 to 50 percent solids and a polypropylene mold, the drying temperatures can be between about 90°C to about 165°C, or between about 105°C to about 150°C, or between about 105°C to about 120°C. Higher temperatures can lead to improved production speeds but can also lead to degradation of the polypropylene tooling limiting its useful life as a mold.

The fifth process step involves removing resultant precursor shaped abrasive particles with from the mold cavities. The precursor shaped abrasive particles can be removed from the cavities by using the following processes alone or in combination on the mold: gravity, vibration, ultrasonic vibration, vacuum, or pressurized air to remove the particles from the mold cavities.

The precursor abrasive particles can be further dried outside of the mold. If the alpha alumina precursor dispersion is dried to the desired level in the mold, this additional drying step is not necessary. However, in some instances it may be economical to employ this additional drying step to minimize the time that the alpha alumina precursor dispersion resides in the mold. Typically, the precursor shaped abrasive particles will be dried from 10 to 480 minutes, or from 120 to 400 minutes, at a temperature from 50°C to 160°C, or at 120°C to 150°C.

The sixth process step involves calcining the precursor shaped abrasive particles. During calcining, essentially all the volatile material is removed, and the various components that were present in the alpha alumina precursor dispersion are transformed into metal oxides. The precursor shaped abrasive particles are generally heated to a temperature from 400°C to 800°C, and maintained within this temperature range until the free water and over 90 percent by weight of any bound volatile material are removed. In an optional step, it may be desired to introduce the modifying additive by an impregnation process. A water-soluble salt can be introduced by impregnation into the pores of the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles. Then the precursor shaped abrasive particles are pre-fired again. This option is further described in U.S. Patent No. 5, 164,348 (Wood).

The seventh process step involves sintering the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles to form alpha alumina particles. Prior to sintering, the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles are not completely densified and thus lack the desired hardness to be used as shaped abrasive particles. Sintering takes place by heating the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles to a temperature of from 1000°C to 1650°C and maintaining them within this temperature range until substantially all of the alpha alumina monohydrate (or equivalent) is converted to alpha alumina and the porosity is reduced to less than 15 percent by volume. The length of time to which the calcined, precursor shaped abrasive particles must be exposed to the sintering temperature to achieve this level of conversion depends upon various factors but usually from five seconds to 48 hours is typical.

In another embodiment, the duration for the sintering step ranges from one minute to 90 minutes.

After sintering, the shaped abrasive particles can have a Vickers hardness of 10 GPa, 16 GPa, 18 GPa, 20 GPa, or greater. Other steps can be used to modify the described process such as, for example, rapidly heating the material from the calcining temperature to the sintering temperature, centrifuging the alpha alumina precursor dispersion to remove sludge and/or waste. Moreover, the process can be modified by combining two or more of the process steps if desired. Conventional process steps that can be used to modify the process of this disclosure are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 4,314,827 (Leitheiser).

More information concerning methods to make shaped abrasive particles is disclosed in U.S. Publ. Patent Appln. No. 2009/0165394 Al (Culler et al).

Shaped abrasive particles are preferably made using tools (i.e., molds) cut using diamond tooling, which provides higher feature definition than other fabrication alternatives such as, for example, stamping or punching. Typically, the cavities in the tool surface have planar faces that meet along sharp edges, and form the sides and top of a truncated pyramid. The resultant shaped abrasive particles have a respective nominal average shape that corresponds to the shape of cavities (e.g., truncated pyramid) in the tool surface; however, variations (e.g., random variations) from the nominal average shape may occur during manufacture, and shaped abrasive particles exhibiting such variations are included within the definition of shaped abrasive particles as used herein.

Preferably, the base and the top of the shaped abrasive particles are substantially parallel, resulting in prismatic or truncated pyramidal shapes, and the dihedral angle between the base and each of the sides may independently range from 45 to 90 degrees, typically 70 to 90 degrees, more typically 75 to 85 degrees, although these are not requirements.

As used herein in referring to shaped abrasive particles, the term "length" refers to the maximum dimension of a shaped abrasive particle. "Width" refers to the maximum dimension of the shaped abrasive particle that is perpendicular to the length. "Thickness" or "height" refer to the dimension of the shaped abrasive particle that is perpendicular to the length and width.

The shaped abrasive particles are typically selected to have a length in a range of from 0.001 mm to 26 mm, more typically 0.1 mm to 10 mm, and more typically 0.5 mm to 5 mm, although other lengths may also be used. In some embodiments, the length may be expressed as a fraction of the thickness of the resin bond abrasive article (e.g., wheel) in which it is contained. For example, the shaped abrasive particle may have a length greater than half the thickness of the resin bond abrasive wheel. In some embodiments, the length of the shaped abrasive particles may be greater than the thickness of the resin bond abrasive wheel.

The shaped abrasive particles are typically selected to have a width in a range of from 0.001 mm to 26 mm, more typically 0.1 mm to 10 mm, and more typically 0.5 mm to 5 mm, although other lengths may also be used.

The shaped abrasive particles are typically selected to have a thickness in a range of from 0.005 mm to 1.6 mm, more typically, from 0.2 to 1.2 mm.

In some embodiments, the shaped abrasive particles may have an aspect ratio (length to thickness) of at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. Surface coatings on the shaped abrasive particles may be used to improve the adhesion between the shaped abrasive particles and a binder material in abrasive articles, or can be used to aid in electrostatic deposition of the shaped abrasive particles. In one embodiment, surface coatings as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,352,254 (Celikkaya) in an amount of 0.1 to 2 percent surface coating to shaped abrasive particle weight may be used. Such surface coatings are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,213,591 (Celikkaya et al.); 5,01 1,508 (Wald et al.); 1,910,444 (Nicholson); 3,041, 156 (Rowse et al.); 5,009,675 (Kunz et al.); 5,085,671 (Martin et al.); 4,997,461 (Markhoff-Matheny et al.); and 5,042,991 (Kunz et al.). Additionally, the surface coating may prevent the shaped abrasive particle from capping. Capping is the term to describe the phenomenon where metal particles from the workpiece being abraded become welded to the tops of the shaped abrasive particles. Surface coatings to perform the above functions are known to those of skill in the art.

The resin bond abrasive articles may comprise crushed abrasive particles whether by themselves or in combination with shaped abrasive particles. If shaped abrasive particles and crushed abrasive particles are both used, the crushed abrasive particles are typically of a finer size grade or grades (e.g., if a plurality of size grades are used) than the shaped abrasive particles, although this is not a requirement.

Useful crushed abrasive particles include, for example, crushed particles of fused aluminum oxide, heat treated aluminum oxide, white fused aluminum oxide, ceramic aluminum oxide materials such as those commercially available under the trade designation 3M CERAMIC ABRASIVE GRAIN from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, black silicon carbide, green silicon carbide, titanium diboride, boron carbide, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, diamond, cubic boron nitride, garnet, fused alumina zirconia, sol-gel derived abrasive particles, iron oxide, chromia, ceria, zirconia, titania, silicates, tin oxide, silica (such as quartz, glass beads, glass bubbles and glass fibers), silicates (such as talc, clays (e.g., montmorillonite), feldspar, mica, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, sodium aluminosilicate, sodium silicate), flint, and emery. Examples of sol-gel derived abrasive particles can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,314,827 (Leitheiser et al.), 4,623,364 (Cottringer et al.), 4,744,802 (Schwabel), 4,770,671 (Monroe et al.), and 4,881,951 (Monroe et al). It is also contemplated that the abrasive particles could comprise abrasive agglomerates such, for example, as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,652,275 (Bloecher et al.) or 4,799,939 (Bloecher et al.).

Typically, crushed abrasive particles are independently sized according to an abrasives industry recognized specified nominal grade. Exemplary abrasive industry recognized grading standards include those promulgated by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), FEPA (Federation of European Producers of Abrasives), and JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard). Such industry accepted grading standards include, for example: ANSI 4, ANSI 6, ANSI 8, ANSI 16, ANSI 24, ANSI 30, ANSI 36, ANSI 40, ANSI 50, ANSI 60, ANSI 80, ANSI 100, ANSI 120, ANSI 150, ANSI 180, ANSI 220, ANSI 240, ANSI 280, ANSI 320, ANSI 360, ANSI 400, and ANSI 600; FEPA P8, FEPA P 12, FEPA P16, FEPA P24, FEPA P30, FEPA P36, FEPA P40, FEPA P50, FEPA P60, FEPA P80, FEPA P 100, FEPA P120, FEPA P150, FEPA P 180, FEPA P220, FEPA P320, FEPA P400, FEPA P500, FEPA P600, FEPA P800, FEPA P1000, FEPA P 1200; FEPA F8, FEPA F12, FEPA F16, and FEPA F24;.and JIS 8, JIS 12, JIS 16, JIS 24, JIS 36, JIS 46, JIS 54, JIS 60, JIS 80, JIS 100, JIS 150, JIS 180, JIS 220, JIS 240, JIS 280, JIS 320, JIS 360, JIS 400, JIS 400, JIS 600, JIS 800, JIS 1000, JIS 1500, JIS 2500, JIS 4000, JIS 6000, JIS 8000, and JIS 10,000. More typically, the crushed aluminum oxide particles and the non-seeded sol-gel derived alumina-based abrasive particles are independently sized to ANSI 60 and 80, or FEPA F36, F46, F54 and F60 or FEPA P60 and P80 grading standards.

Alternatively, the abrasive particles can be graded to a nominal screened grade using U.S.A. Standard Test Sieves conforming to ASTM E- l l "Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes" . ASTM E-l l prescribes the requirements for the design and construction of testing sieves using a medium of woven wire cloth mounted in a frame for the classification of materials according to a designated particle size. A typical designation may be represented as -18+20 meaning that the shaped abrasive particles pass through a test sieve meeting ASTM E-l l specifications for the number 18 sieve and are retained on a test sieve meeting ASTM E- l l specifications for the number 20 sieve. In one embodiment, the shaped abrasive particles have a particle size such that most of the particles pass through an 18 mesh test sieve and can be retained on a 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 mesh test sieve. In various embodiments, the shaped abrasive particles can have a nominal screened grade

comprising: -18+20, -20/+25,-25+30, -30+35, -35+40, -40+45, -45+50, -50+60, -60+70,

-70/+80, -80+100, -100+120, - 120+140, -140+170, - 170+200, -200+230, -230+270, -270+325,

-325+400, -400+450, -450+500, or -500+635. Alternatively, a custom mesh size could be used such as -90+100.

The abrasive particles may, for example, be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed throughout the resin bond abrasive article. For example, if the resin bond abrasive wheel is a grinding wheel or a cutoff wheel, the abrasive particles may be concentrated toward the middle (e.g., located away from the outer faces of a grinding or cut-off wheel), or only in the outer edge, i.e., the periphery, of a grinding or cut-off wheel. The center portion may contain a lesser amount of abrasive particles. In another variation, first abrasive particles may be in one side of the wheel with different abrasive particles on the opposite side. However, typically all the abrasive particles are homogenously distributed among each other, because the manufacture of the wheels is easier.

Resin bond abrasive wheels according to the present disclosure may comprise additional abrasive particles beyond those mentioned above, subject to weight range requirements of the other constituents being met. Examples include fused aluminum oxide (including fused alumina-zirconia), brown aluminum oxide, blue aluminum oxide, silicon carbide (including green silicon carbide), garnet, diamond, cubic boron nitride, boron carbide, chromia, ceria, and combinations thereof.

At least some of the abrasive particles are surface-treated with an epoxy-functional coupling agent according to the present disclosure to enhance adhesion of the abrasive particles to the binder material. The abrasive particles may be treated before combining them with the precursor binder material, or they may be surface-modified in situ by including the epoxy-functional coupling agent in the precursor binder material.

In some embodiments, resin bond abrasive wheels according to the present disclosure contain additional grinding aids such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene particles, cryolite, sodium chloride, FeS2 (iron disulfide), or KBF4; typically in amounts of from 1 to 25 percent by weight, more typically 10 to 20 percent by weight, subject to weight range requirements of the other constituents being met.

Grinding aids are added to improve the cutting characteristics of the cut-off wheel, generally by reducing the temperature of the cutting interface. The grinding aid may be in the form of single particles or an agglomerate of grinding aid particles. Examples of precisely shaped grinding aid particles are taught in U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2002/0026752 Al (Culler et al).

In some embodiments, the binder material contains plasticizer such as, for example, that available as SANTICIZER 154 PLASTICIZER from UNIVAR USA, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois.

Resin bond abrasive articles according to the present disclosure may contain additional components such as, for example, filler particles, subject to weight range requirements of the other constituents being met. Filler particles may be added to occupy space and/or provide porosity. Porosity enables the resin bond abrasive article to shed used or worn abrasive particles to expose new or fresh abrasive particles.

Resin bond abrasive articles (e.g., wheels) according to the present disclosure have any range of porosity; for example, from about 1 percent to 50 percent, typically 1 percent to 40 percent by volume. Examples of fillers include bubbles and beads (e.g., glass, ceramic (alumina), clay, polymeric, metal), cork, gypsum, marble, limestone, flint, silica, aluminum silicate, and combinations thereof.

Resin bond abrasive articles (e.g., wheels) according to the present disclosure can be made according to any suitable method. In one suitable method, the non-seeded sol-gel derived alumina-based abrasive particles are coated with a coupling agent prior to mixing with the curable resole phenolic. The amount of epoxy-functional silane coupling agent is generally selected to be in an effective amount. For example, the epoxy-functional silane the such that it is present in an amount of 0.01 to 3 parts, preferably 0.1 to 0.3, for every 100 parts of abrasive particles, although amounts outside this range may also be used. To the resulting mixture is added the liquid resin, as well as the curable novolac phenolic resin and the cryolite. The mixture is pressed into a mold (e.g., at an applied pressure of 20 tons per 4 inches diameter (244 kg/cm^) at room temperature. The molded wheel is then cured by heating at temperatures up to about 185°C for sufficient time to cure the curable phenolic resins.

Resin bond abrasive wheels according to the present disclosure are useful, for example, as cut-off wheels and abrasives industry Type 27 (e.g., as in American National Standards Institute standard ANSI

B7.1-2000 (2000) in section 1.4.14) depressed-center grinding wheels.

Cut-off wheels are typically 0.80 millimeter (mm) to 16 mm in thickness, more typically 1 mm to

8 mm, and typically have a diameter between 2.5 cm and 100 cm (40 inches), more typically between about 7 cm and 13 cm, although other dimensions may also be used (e.g., wheels as large as 100 cm in diameter are known). An optional center hole may be used to attaching the cut-off wheel to a power driven tool. If present, the center hole is typically 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm in diameter, although other sizes may be used. The optional center hole may be reinforced; for example, by a metal flange. Alternatively, a mechanical fastener may be axially secured to one surface of the cut-off wheel. Examples include threaded posts, threaded nuts, Tinnerman nuts, and bayonet mount posts.

Optionally, resin bond abrasive wheels, especially cut-off wheels, according to the present disclosure may further comprise a scrim and/or backing that reinforces the resin bond abrasive wheel; for example, disposed on one or two major surfaces of the resin bond abrasive wheel, or disposed within the resin bond abrasive wheel. Examples include paper, polymeric film, metal foil, vulcanized fiber, synthetic fiber and/or natural fiber nonwovens (e.g., lofty open nonwoven synthetic fiber webs and meltspun scrims), synthetic and/or natural fiber knits, synthetic fiber and/or natural fiber wovens (e.g., woven glass fabrics/scrims, woven polyester fabrics, treated versions thereof, and combinations thereof). Examples of suitable porous reinforcing scrims include porous fiberglass scrims and porous polymeric scrims (e.g., comprising polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, cellulose acetate, polyimide, and/or polyurethane) which may be melt-spun, melt blown, wet-laid, or air-laid, for example. In some instances, it may be desirable to include reinforcing staple fibers within the bonding medium, so that the fibers are homogeneously dispersed throughout the cut-off wheel.

The selection of porosity and basis weight of the various reinforcing members (e.g., scrims and backings) described herein are within the capability of those skilled in the abrasives art, and typically depend on the intended use.

Resin bond abrasive wheels according to the present disclosure are useful, for example, for abrading a workpiece. For example, they may be formed into grinding or cut-off wheels that exhibit good grinding characteristics while maintaining a relatively low operating temperature that may avoid thermal damage to the workpiece.

Cut-off wheels can be used on any right angle grinding tool such as, for example, those available from Ingersoll-Rand, Sioux, Milwaukee, and Dotco. The tool can be electrically or pneumatically driven, generally at speeds from about 1000 to 50000 RPM.

During use, the resin bond abrasive wheel can be used dry or wet. During wet grinding, the wheel is used in conjunction with water, oil-based lubricants, or water-based lubricants. Resin bond abrasive wheels according to the present disclosure may be particularly useful on various workpiece materials such as, for example, carbon steel sheet or bar stock and more exotic metals (e.g., stainless steel or titanium), or on softer more ferrous metals (e.g., mild steel, low alloy steels, or cast irons).

Objects and advantages of this disclosure are further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples, but the particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this disclosure. SELECT EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Embodiment 1. A method of treating a surface of a substrate having chemically bound surface hydroxyl groups, the method comprising:

providing an epoxy-functional coupling agent comprising a reaction product of a polyepoxide; and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR^R ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3 ;

R2 represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and

each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group; and

contacting the epoxy-functional coupling agent with the surface of the substrate.

Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein, on an average basis, no more than half of the epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane.

Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the polyepoxide comprises a component of epoxidized soybean oil.

Embodiment 4. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein R2 represents -Z-S1L3. Embodiment 5. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein L is independently selected from the group consisting of methoxy, ethoxy, and acetoxy.

Embodiment 6. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the substrate comprises an abrasive particle.

Embodiment 7. An abrasive particle having an outer surface with an adhesion-modifying layer covalently bound thereto, wherein the surface-modifying layer comprises a reaction product of an epoxy- functional coupling agent and hydroxyl groups covalently bound to the outer surface of the abrasive particle, wherein the epoxy-functional coupling agent comprises a reaction product of:

a polyepoxide; and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR!R ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3 ;

R2 represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group.

Embodiment 8. The abrasive particle of embodiment 7, wherein the polyepoxide comprises a component of epoxidized soybean oil.

Embodiment 9. The abrasive particle of embodiment 7 or 8, wherein, on an average basis, no more than half of the epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane.

Embodiment 10. The abrasive particle of any one of embodiments 7 to 9, wherein R2 represents -Z-S1L3.

Embodiment 11. The abrasive particle of any one of embodiments 7 to 10, wherein L is independently selected from the group consisting of methoxy, ethoxy, and acetoxy.

Embodiment 12. The abrasive particle of any one of embodiments 7 to 11, wherein the abrasive particle comprises alumina.

Embodiment 13. A resin bond abrasive article comprising a plurality of abrasive particles according to any one of embodiments 7 to 12 retained in a binder material.

Embodiment 14. The resin bond abrasive article of embodiment 13, wherein the binder material comprises a phenolic resin.

Embodiment 15. The resin bond abrasive article of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the resin bond abrasive article comprises a resin bond abrasive wheel.

Embodiment 16. The resin bond abrasive article of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the resin bond abrasive article comprises a resin bond abrasive cut-off wheel.

Embodiment 17. An epoxy-functional coupling agent comprising a reaction product of:

a polyepoxide and

an aminosilane represented by the formula

HNR iR ²

wherein:

R1 represents -Z-S1L3;

R2 represents -Z-S1L3 or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

each Z independently represents a divalent linking group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and

each L independently represents a hydrolyzable group, wherein, on an average basis, no more than half of the epoxy groups of the polyepoxide are reacted with the aminosilane.

Embodiment 18. The epoxy-functional coupling agent of embodiment 17, wherein the polyepoxide comprises a component of epoxidized soybean oil.

Embodiment 19. A substrate having Objects and advantages of this disclosure are further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples, but the particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this disclosure.

EXAMPLES

Unless otherwise noted, all parts, percentages, ratios, etc. in the Examples and the rest of the specification are by weight. In the examples, grams is abbreviated as "g", and wt. % means weight percent based on total weight unless otherwise specified.

Table 1, below, lists various materials used in the examples.

TABLE 1

a mixture of 39.4% of novolac phenolic resin (obtained as HEXION 0224P from Momentive Specialty Chemicals Columbus, Ohio), 8.2% of silicon carbide (obtained as SIKA (75-99% silicon carbide CAS 409-21-2) from Saint-Gobain

PP

Ceramic Materials AS, Cologne, France), 0.4% of carbon black (obtained as LUVOMAXXX LB/S from Lehmann & Voss & Co. KG Hamburg, Germany), and 52.0% of PAF (potassium aluminum fluoride from KBM Affilips Master Alloys, Delfzijl, Netherlands)

RP liquid phenolic resin obtained as PREFERE 92 5136G1 from

Dynea Erkner GmbH, Erkner, Germany alpha alumina abrasive particles shaped as truncated triangular pyramids with equal base side lengths of 0.84 mm, a height of

SAP1 0.168 mm, and a sidewall inward taper angle of 8 degrees (i.e., the dihedral angle between any sidewall and the base is nominally 82 degrees) and having a surface coating of fine alumina particles; prepared as described hereinbelow

SAPl-l Sn SAP1 with 0.1 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow

SAPl-3Sn SAP1 with 0.3 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP l-3Sn-SL SAP1 with 0.3 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 2 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP1 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

SAP1-5NC

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 4 procedure, hereinbelow

SAPl-5Sn SAP1 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP l-5Ti SAP1 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 3 procedure, hereinbelow alpha alumina abrasive particles shaped as truncated triangular pyramids with equal base side lengths of 0.63 mm, a height of

SAP2 0.12 mm, and a sidewall inward taper angle of 8 degrees (i.e., the dihedral angle between any sidewall and the base is nominally 82 degrees) and having a surface coating of fine alumina particles; prepared as described hereinbelow

SAP2-l Sn SAP2 with 0.1 wt. % API applied by the Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow SAP2-3Sn SAP2 with 0.3 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP2-3Sn-SL SAP2 with 0.3 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 2 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP2-5NC SAP2 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 4 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP2-5Sn SAP2 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow

SAP2-5Ti SAP2 with 0.5 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 3 procedure, hereinbelow alpha alumina abrasive particles shaped as truncated triangular pyramids with equal base side lengths of 0.63 mm, a height of

SAP3

0.12 mm, and a sidewall inward taper angle of 8 degrees (i.e., the dihedral angle between any sidewall and the base is

nominally 82 degrees); prepared as described hereinbelow

SAP3-3Sn SAP3 with 0.3 wt. % API applied by the Application of API

onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1 procedure, hereinbelow bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (CAS# 13497- 18-2),

SCA

obtained as DYNASYLAN 1 122 from Evonik Industries,

Essen, Germany

SCRIM fiberglass mesh, obtained as "RXO 08- 125 x 23 mm" from

Rymatex Sp. Zo.o., Rymanow, Poland

fiberglass mesh scrim attached to a cloth mesh, obtained as

SCRIM2

"RXV 08-125 x 23 mm" from Rymatex Sp. zo.o, Rymanow, Poland

TOL

Toluene, obtained from Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri

Preparation of Abrasive Particles SAPl -SAP 3

Precisely-shaped alpha alumina abrasive particles SAP 1-SAP3 in the examples were prepared according to the disclosure of Example 1 of U.S. Patent No. 8, 142,531 (Adefris et al.) by molding alumina sol-gel in equilateral triangular polypropylene mold cavities. SAP2 and SAP3 were made similarly except that the impregnating solution consisted of 93.1 weight percent of Mg(NC>2)3, 6.43 weight percent of deionized water, and 0.47 weight percent of Co(NC>3)2. Further, SAPl and SAP2 had a coating of fine (about 0.5 micron) particles of alumina (HYDRAL COAT 5, obtained from Almatis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), this particle coating applied according to the teaching of US5,213,591 (Celikkaya, et al.). Adhesion Promoter Synthesis

API

ESO (20 g) was added to 8.5 g of SCA in a 50 mL glass vial. The heterogeneous mixture quickly became a homogeneous fluid by vigorous agitation with a resulting change in color (from pale yellow to pale pink). The mixture was then continuously mixed for at least 24 hours at room temperature. The resulting solutions typically regained the pale-yellow color after the mixing.

AP2

EPB (26 g) was added to 8.51 g of SCA in a 50 mL glass vial. The heterogeneous mixture became a homogeneous fluid by vigorous agitation. The mixture was then continuously mixed for at least 48 hours. The resulting products were typically colorless liquids.

AP3

EPR (100 g) was added to 9.90 g of SCA in a 200 mL glass vial. The heterogeneous mixture became a homogeneous fluid by vigorous agitation. The mixture was then continuously mixed for at least 48 hours. The resulting products were typically colorless liquids.

AP4

DGO (2.77 g) was added to 4.26 g of SCA and 28.1 g of TOL in a 100 mL glass vial. The mixture was continuously mixed for at least 48 hours. The resulting products were typically colorless liquids.

Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 1

API was diluted to 5% solids with ACE. One part of CATl per 100 parts of API was then added. The resulting solution was thoroughly mixed and applied onto abrasive particles by using a spray gun (PREVAL SPRAYER, obtained from Preval, Coal City, Illinois). A typical coating process was conducted in a glass beaker (1 L) with 250-350 g of abrasive particles. During the spraying process, the glass beaker was continuously shaken to promote uniform coating. Once the spray process was finished, the beaker was continuously agitated at room temperature until the coated particle surfaces became dry. The treated grain was then further dried in an oven at 65°C for 30 min. The prepared grain was kept in plastic bags or glass jars before cut-off wheel preparation.

Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 2

One part CATl per 100 parts of was added to API and mixed thoroughly. The resulting solution was applied onto abrasive particles neat, without solvent addition, and the abrasive particles were mixed in a KitchenAid Commercial mixer. A typical coating process was conducted in a stainless steel bowl with 1000-2000 g of abrasive particles. By means of a pipette, the API and CATl solution was added to the abrasive grain while the abrasive grain was continuously mixed. Mixing of the abrasive grain continued until a uniform coating was achieved. The abrasive particles were left to sit at room

temperature for 10 minutes to 1 month before using. The extended time after mixing was to allow the condensation reaction between the AP I and the abrasive particle.

Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 3

AP I was diluted to 5% solids with ACE. One part of CAT2 per 100 parts of API was then added. The resulting solution was thoroughly mixed and applied onto abrasive particles by using a spray gun (PREVAL SPRAYER, obtained from Preval, Coal City, Illinois). A typical coating process was conducted in a glass beaker ( 1 L) with 250-350 g of abrasive particles. During the spraying process, the glass beaker was continuously shaken to promote uniform coating. Once the spray process was finished, the beaker was continuously agitated at room temperature until the coated particle surfaces became dry. The treated grain was then further dried in an oven at 65°C for 30 min. The prepared grain was kept in plastic bags or glass jars before cut-off wheel preparation.

Application of API onto Abrasive Particles - Method 4

AP I was diluted to 5% solids with ACE. The resulting solution was thoroughly mixed and applied onto abrasive particles by using a spray gun (PREVAL SPRAYER, obtained from Preval, Coal City, Illinois). A typical coating process was conducted in a glass beaker (1 L) with 250-350 g of abrasive particles. During the spraying process, the glass beaker was continuously shaken to promote uniform coating. Once the spray process was finished, the beaker was continuously agitated at room temperature until the coated particle surfaces became dry. The treated grain was then further dried in an oven at 65°C for 30 min. The prepared grain was kept in plastic bags or glass jars before cut-off wheel preparation.

Application of Adhesion Promoters onto Glass Substrates

Control materials and the synthesized adhesion promoters in the previous section were diluted in TOL at 5% solid. Then one part of CAT1 per 100 parts of chosen adhesion promoter was added to the solution and thoroughly mixed for a few minutes. Prepared adhesion promoters were applied on soda- lime glass plates (2.5" x 5.0" x 1/8" (6.4 cm x 12.7 cm x 0.32 cm) (pre-cleaned with IP A) with a No. 36 Meyer Coating Rod (RD Specialties, Webster, New York, 3.24 mils (0.0823 mm) nominal wet thickness). The applied coating was dried in an oven at 65 °C for 30 min and the dried coating was observed to see the coating quality. Observed coating qualities are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Comp. Ex. B APREF2 poor severe dewetting

Comp. Ex. C ESO poor severe dewetting

Comp. Ex. D EPB good very uniform coating

Comp. Ex. E EPR fair slightly hazy

1 API fair relatively uniform coating

with minor defects

2 AP2 good very uniform coating

3 AP3 fair slightly opaque, partial

dewetting

4 AP4 fair slightly opaque

Application of Phenolic Resin on the Adhesion Promoter Treated Glass Substrates

Thin layers of PR diluted with ACE at 1 : 1 weight ratio were fabricated on the adhesion promoter- coated glass substrates with a No. 36 Meyer Coating Rod (RD Specialties). The prepared phenolic resin coatings were then cured in a convection oven. The temperature profile and duration for the experiment was 70°C (2 hrs), 100°C (2 hrs), 140°C (2 hrs), 188°C (24 hrs), and 40°C (1 hr).

Adhesion Test

The prepared glass substrate samples with cured phenolic resin were then cut into l"x 2" (2.5 cm x 5.1 cm) size pieces by using a diamond glass cutter. The cut samples were then submerged in a deionized water containing beaker at 25 °C or 100°C. The dipped samples were taken out from the water bath at designated intervals (every minute for the initial 10 minute and every 60 minutes for the later intervals) and the phenolic resin coating was gently rubbed with a swab which has a sponge pad attached to a plastic stick. Then the rubbed sample was gently washed with running deionized water. The adhesion was determined by measuring the remaining coating area after the rubbing. The test was conducted with 3 specimens for each sample. Results are reported in Table 3 for room temperature evaluation and Table 4 for 100°C evaluation. In Tables 3 and 4, measured values represent averages of 3 specimens.

TABLE 3

TABLE 4

EXAMPLE 5

RP (120 g) was added to 400 g of SAP 1-3 Sn and 800 g of SAP2-3Sn and was mixed in a KitchenAid Commercial mixer (model 5KPM50) for 7 minutes at speed 1. This mixture was then combined with 680 g of PP and mixed for an additional 7 minutes. In the middle of the second mixing step, 5 mL PO was added to the mixture.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE F

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAP1 and 800 g of SAP2.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grain used was 1200 g of SAP3-3Sn.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE G

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grain used was 1200 g of SAP3. Preparation of Abrasive Articles

After aging for 14 hr at 40% relative humidity and 19°C, the mixes of Examples 5- 12 and Comparative Examples F-I were each sieved through a vibrating mesh that had openings of 1.5 mm by 1.5 mm. A Maternini press machine with six 125 mm diameter mold cavities was used to press wheels. For all wheels, the pressing force across all six cavities was 210 bar (21 MPa) with 3 second dwell time. The bottom plate depth during fill was -3.00 mm, and the bottom plate depth during retraction of mineral was +0.1 mm. The temperature in the room during pressing was 18.0-19.4°C and the humidity ranged from 39 to 40% relative humidity (RH). A 125 mm diameter disc of SCRIM2 was placed in the bottom of a 125-mm diameter mold cavity. The mold had an inner diameter of 23 mm. The automatic shuttle box of the press spread 33.5 g of fill mixture into each cavity on top of the scrim. SCRIM was then placed on top of the fill mixture and a small diameter experimental label was placed on top of the scrim. A metal flange 28 mm x 22.45 mm x 1.2 mm from Lumet PPUH in Jaslo, Poland was placed on top of each label. The mold was closed and the scrim -fill-scrim sandwich was pressed at a load of 210 bar (21 MPa) with a 3 second dwell time. Twenty -four wheels were made from each lot and the wheel thickness before cure was 1.25 to 1.30 mm and the wheel weight before cure was approximately 33.5 ± 0.5 g. After pressing, the wheels were placed on a stacks between aluminum plates and PTFE sheets in order to keep the shape during the curing program. The cut-off wheel precursor was then removed from the mold and cured in a stack with a 30 hr cure cycle: 2 hr ramp to 75 °C, 2 hr to 90°C, 5 hr to 1 10°C, 3 hr to 135°C, 3 hr to 188°C, 13 hr at 188°C, and a then 2 hr cool-down to 60°C. The final thickness of the wheel was approximately 0.053 inch (1.35 mm).

Cutting Test Method

A 40-inch (16-cm) long sheet of 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) thick stainless steel was secured with its major surface inclined at a 35-degree angle relative to horizontal. A guide rail was secured along the downward-sloping top surface of the inclined sheet. A DeWalt Model D281 14 4.5-inch (1 1.4-cm)/5-inch (12.7-cm) cut-off wheel angle grinder was secured to the guide rail such that the tool was guided in a downward path under the force of gravity.

A cut-off wheel for evaluation was mounted on the tool such that the cut-off wheel encountered the full thickness of the stainless steel sheet when the cut-off wheel tool was released to traverse downward, along the rail under gravitational force. The cut-off wheel tool was activated to rotate the cut- off wheel at 10000 rpm, the tool was released to begin its descent, and the length of the resulting cut in the stainless steel sheet was measured after 60 seconds (One Minute Cut). Dimensions of the cut-off wheel were measured before and after the cutting test to determine wear. Six cut-off wheels from each Example and Comparative Example were tested as-made, and also after 3 weeks of aging in a 90% RH and 90°F (32°C) environmental chamber and then conditioning of 2 hours at 50°C.

One minute cut is the distance that the cutting wheel cut through the stainless steel sheet in one minute. The wear rate is the loss of wheel volume as a function of the time the wheel cut. The performance factor, also referred to as G-ratio, is the one minute cut divided by the wear rate. Results of the Cutting Test for Examples 5-6 and Comparative Examples F-G are reported in Table 5, below, wherein measured values represent averages of 3 specimens.

TABLE 5

In each example, the API coating on the abrasive grit improved the moisture protection of the product as compared to the uncoated grit. The one minute cut of the aged products made with AP treated grains are 140% that of the non-treated grain. The wear rate of the aged wheels is reduced by 8-15% and the overall performance (one minute cut/wear rate) of the aged wheels containing treated grains is 1.4 to 1.75 times that of the wheels made using untreated grain. The adhesion promoter also improved the nonaged sample performance by 1.18 to 1.25.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAPl-l Sn and 800 g of SAP2-l Sn.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 5 was repeated.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAPl-5Sn and 800 g of SAP2-5Sn.

EXAMPLE 10

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAPl-5Ti and 800 g of SAP2-5Ti.

EXAMPLE 1 1

Example 5 was repeated, except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAP1-5NC and 800 g of SAP2-5NC.

EXAMPLE 12

Example 5 was repeated except the abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAP l-3Sn-SL and 800 g of SAP2-3Sn-SL.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE H

Comparative Example F was repeated (abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAP 1 and 800 g of

SAP2). COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE I

Comparative Example F was repeated (abrasive grains used were 400 g of SAP 1 and 800 g of

SAP2).

Results of the Cutting Test for Examples 7-12 and Comparative Examples H-I are reported in Table 6, below, wherein measured values represent averages of 3 specimens.

TABLE 6

In each example, the API coating on the abrasive grit improved the moisture protection of the product as compared to the uncoated grit. The one minute cut of the aged products made with AP treated grains improved, as compared to products made using non-treated grain. The wear rate of the aged wheels was reduced. The amount of AP I coating on the grains (Examples 7-8) has a significant effect on the performance with lower levels of API coating being preferred. The type and use of a catalyst (Examples 9-1 1) does not have an effect on the overall performance of the wheel. The adhesion promoter works as effectively when used without a solvent (Example 12) which makes the manufacturing process simpler.

All cited references, patents, and patent applications in the above application for letters patent are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety in a consistent manner. In the event of inconsistencies or contradictions between portions of the incorporated references and this application, the information in the preceding description shall control. The preceding description, given in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the claimed disclosure, is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims and all equivalents thereto.