Abrasive particles and methods of forming same

Abstract

An abrasive particle having a body including a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a side surface extending between the first major surface and the second major surface, such that a majority of the side surface comprises a plurality of microridges.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An abrasive particle comprising:
 a body including a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a side surface extending between the first major surface and the second major surface, wherein the side surface comprises a Mean Anisotropy Factor of at least 1.25.   
     
     
         2 . The abrasive particle of  claim 1 , wherein the Mean Anisotropy Factor is at least 1.30 and not greater than 20. 
     
     
         3 . The abrasive particle of  claim 1 , wherein the side surface comprises an Anisotropy Factor Standard Deviation of at least 0.75 and not greater than 10. 
     
     
         4 . The abrasive particle of  claim 1 , wherein the side surface comprises a first region extending from the first major surface and a second region extending from the second major surface, and wherein the first region and second region abut on the side surface, and wherein the second region comprises a Mean Anisotropy Factor that is greater than the first region. 
     
     
         5 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the second region extends for a greater percentage of the height as compared to the first region. 
     
     
         6 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the first region has an average height of not greater than 90% of the height of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the second region comprises an average height of not greater than 90% of the height of the body or not greater than 80% or not greater than 70% or not greater than 60% or not greater than 50% or not greater than 40% or not greater than 30% or not greater than 20% or not greater than 10% or not greater than 5%. 
     
     
         8 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the first region comprises a Mean Anisotropy Factor of not greater than 1.20. 
     
     
         9 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the Mean Anisotropy Factor of the second region is at least 1.30. 
     
     
         10 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the Mean Anisotropy Factor of the second region is not greater than 20 or not greater than 15 or not greater than 12 or not greater than 10 or not greater than 8 or not greater than 7 or not greater than 6 or not greater than 5 or not greater than 4. 
     
     
         11 . The abrasive particle of  claim 4 , wherein the second region comprises a plurality of microridges. 
     
     
         12 . The abrasive particle of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of microridges is a conchoidal fracturing feature. 
     
     
         13 . The abrasive particle of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of microridges is formed during controlled cracking of the side surface. 
     
     
         14 . The abrasive particle of  claim 11  wherein at least 51% of the total surface area of the side surface includes the plurality of microridges. 
     
     
         15 . The abrasive particle of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises an irregular two-dimensional shape as viewed in a plane defined by a length and a width of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The abrasive particle of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed abrasive including the abrasive particle, and wherein the fixed abrasive is a coated abrasive or a bonded abrasive. 
     
     
         17 . A collection of abrasive particles, wherein each abrasive particle of the collection of abrasive particles comprises:
 a body having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a side surface extending between the first major surface and the second major surface, wherein the body comprises a height as defined as the distance along the side surface between the first major surface and the second major surface;   wherein the collection of abrasive particles comprises a standard deviation of height of not greater than 100; and   wherein the collection of abrasive particles comprises a Mean Non-Convexity Factor of at least 3.5.   
     
     
         18 . The collection of abrasive particles of  claim 17 , further comprising a Mean Anisotropy Factor of at least 1.25 and an Anisotropy Factor Standard Deviation of at least 0.75 and not greater than 10. 
     
     
         19 . The collection of abrasive particles of  claim 17 , wherein the side surface comprises a first region extending from the first major surface and a second region extending from the second major surface, and wherein the first region and second region abut on the side surface, and wherein the second region extends for a greater percentage of the height as compared to the first region. 
     
     
         20 . The collection of abrasive particles of  claim 17  further comprising at least one feature of the group consisting of:
 a) a Mean Non-Convexity Factor of at least 3.5; 
 b) a Non-Convexity Factor Standard Deviation of at least 2.4; 
 c) a Mean Anisotropy Factor of at least 1.25; 
 d) a standard deviation of height of not greater than 100 microns; 
 e) or any combination thereof.