Abrasive filament and brush

Abstract

An abrasive filament including a matrix of thermoplastic polymer; and a plurality of abrasive particles such as eutectic alumina zirconia particles interspersed throughout at least a portion of the matrix. Abrasive brushes including such abrasive filaments are also disclosed. Methods of deburring a substrate having at least one burr, with a brush, the brush having bristles including eutectic alumina zirconia particles and a matrix of thermoplastic polymer, wherein the method includes the steps of: contacting the substrate with at least one bristle of the brush in a contact region; and inducing relative motion between the substrate and the at least one bristle.

1 . A method of deburring a substrate having at least one burr, with a brush, the brush comprising bristles comprising eutectic alumina zirconia particles and a matrix of thermoplastic polymer, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 contacting the substrate with at least one bristle of the brush in a contact region; and   inducing relative motion between the substrate and the at least one bristle.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying a lubricant adjacent the contact region. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises carbon steel. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the brush further comprises a securing element that functions to secure the plurality of abrasive filaments to form a brush and the method further comprises mounting the securing element to an apparatus capable of inducing the relative motion between the substrate and the at least one bristle. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix of thermoplastic polymer comprises a polymer selected from polyamide and thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eutectic alumina zirconia particles comprise from about 35 to 45 percent by weight of zirconia. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive filament comprises about 55 percent to about 75 percent by weight of thermoplastic polymer; and about 25 percent to about 45 percent by weight of eutectic alumina zirconia particles. 
   
   
       8 . A method of refining the surface of a substrate with a brush, the brush comprising bristles comprising eutectic alumina zirconia particles and a matrix of thermoplastic polymer, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 contacting the substrate with at least one bristle of the brush in a contact region; and   inducing relative motion between the substrate and the at least one bristle, wherein the efficiency is at least 1.0.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising applying a lubricant adjacent the contact region. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the substrate comprises carbon steel. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the brush further comprises a securing element that functions to secure the plurality of abrasive filaments to form a brush and the method further comprises mounting the securing element to an apparatus capable of inducing the relative motion between the substrate and the at least one bristle. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the matrix of thermoplastic polymer comprises a polymer selected from polyamide and thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the eutectic alumina zirconia particles comprise from about 35 to 45 percent by weight of zirconia. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one bristle comprises about 55 percent to about 75 percent by weight of thermoplastic polymer; and about 25 percent to about 45 percent by weight of eutectic alumina zirconia particles. 
   
   
       15 . An abrasive brush comprising:
 a plurality of abrasive filaments, said filaments comprising a matrix of thermoplastic polymer and a plurality of eutectic alumina zirconia particles interspersed throughout at least a portion of said matrix; and   a securing element that functions to secure the plurality of abrasive filaments to form a brush,   wherein the abrading efficiency on a workpiece is at least 1.0.   
   
   
       16 . The abrasive brush according to  claim 15 , wherein said matrix of thermoplastic polymer comprises a polymer selected from polyamide and thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       17 . The abrasive brush according to  claim 15 , wherein the eutectic alumina zirconia particles comprise from about 35 to 45 percent by weight of zirconia. 
   
   
       18 . The abrasive brush according to  claim 15 , wherein said abrasive filament comprises about 55 percent to about 75 percent by weight of thermoplastic polymer; and about 25 percent to about 45 percent by weight of eutectic alumina zirconia particles. 
   
   
       19 . The abrasive brush according to  claim 15 , wherein said abrasive particles are substantially uniformly interspersed throughout said filament. 
   
   
       20 . The abrasive brush according to  claim 15 , wherein said securing element comprises a cylindrical hub, and wherein said filaments are bonded to said hub.