Method of polishing a workpiece with an abrasive segment comprising abrasive aggregates having silicon carbide particles

Abstract

A method of polishing a workpiece can include placing a workpiece on a support structure. In an embodiment, the method can also include contacting the workpiece with an abrasive segment. The abrasive segment can include a plurality of abrasive aggregates that include silicon carbide particles bound together in a binder material. Additionally, the method can include moving the abrasive segment and the workpiece relative to each other.

1 . A method of polishing a workpiece, the method comprising:
 placing a workpiece on a support structure;   contacting the workpiece with an abrasive segment, wherein the abrasive segment comprises a plurality of abrasive aggregates having a plurality of silicon carbide particles bound together in a binder material; and   moving the abrasive segment and the workpiece relative to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive segment and the workpiece move relative to each other in a linear direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive segment and the workpiece move relative to each other in a rotary direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece comprises a stone material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the stone material is selected from the group comprising marble, granite, and limestone. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece has a hardness of at least about 3.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive segment and the workpiece move relative to each other at a grinding speed of at least about 250 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece has a surface finish roughness after polishing of at least about 0.1 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein as the abrasive segment and the workpiece move relative to each other a contact force of at least about 1.0 kg per square centimeter is applied. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of abrasive aggregates are bound together in a bond material including a magnesia-based cement.