White and brown corundum are two popular types of abrasives used in various industries. While they share similar properties, they also have some key differences that set them apart.
The first obvious difference between white and brown corundum is their color. White corundum, as the name suggests, is pure white and translucent, while brown corundum ranges in color from light brown to dark brown. This color difference is due to the minerals present in the corundum. White corundum is made from pure aluminum oxide, while brown corundum contains trace amounts of iron oxide, which gives it its characteristic color.
Another difference between white and brown corundum is their hardness and toughness. White corundum is harder and more brittle than brown corundum, making it better suited for grinding and cutting hard materials such as metal, ceramics, and glass. Brown corundum, on the other hand, is tougher and more flexible, which makes it ideal for grinding soft materials such as wood and plastics.
In terms of purity, white corundum is generally considered to be purer than brown corundum because it is made from a single mineral. This makes it less likely to contaminate the material being worked on. However, this does not mean that brown corundum is not pure enough for most applications. In fact, brown corundum is widely used in many industries precisely because of its strength and purity.