Emery Wheels refer to grinding wheels that are made from emery, a dark mineral. The term is spelled /ˈɛməri wiːlz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The syllable stress falls on the first syllable, with /ˈɛməri/ being pronounced as "EM-uh-ree". The word "wheels" is spelled as /wiːlz/, with the stress on the first syllable. Emery Wheels are used for sharpening and polishing various materials and are commonly found in hardware stores and industrial settings.
Emery wheels are grinding wheels that are made from a hard, abrasive material called emery. Emery is a naturally occurring mineral that is composed of corundum, which is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Emery has a hardness that is second only to diamond, making it an ideal material for grinding and polishing applications.
Emery wheels are commonly used in industry and by craftsmen for various tasks like sharpening and grinding. They are particularly effective in removing material from hard surfaces such as metal, stone, and concrete. The wheels consist of a circular disc that is coated with emery particles. These abrasive particles are held together by a bonding agent, which is typically a combination of clay and water or oil.
To use an emery wheel, it is secured onto a bench grinder or similar machine, which rotates the wheel at high speeds. The wheel is then pressed against the object to be ground or sharpened, and the emery particles abrade the surface, removing material and shaping it to the desired form. Emery wheels can also be used for finishing and polishing surfaces to achieve a smooth and shiny appearance.
Emery wheels are available in various sizes and grits, with different levels of coarseness or fineness. Coarse grits are used for aggressive material removal, while finer grits produce smoother finishes. It is important to select the appropriate emery wheel for the specific application to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
The word "emery" in "emery wheels" is derived from the mineral "emery". The term "emery" ultimately comes from the Latin word "smyris" or "smyrnium" which referred to a type of plant used for medicinal purposes. Over time, this word evolved into "esmeril" in Old Spanish, which then became "esmeril" in Old French, and eventually "emery" in English.
Emery is a black or dark gray granular mineral that is a mixture of corundum (aluminum oxide) and magnetite (iron oxide). It is notable for its hardness, making it an effective abrasive material. Emery has been used for centuries in polishing and grinding applications, and emery wheels are made by bonding emery grains onto a wheel or disc using a binder material.