Previous methods for determining the abrasive grain properties (in particular the abrasive grain toughness) are so-called cold methods, as they are based exclusively on mechanical stress on the abrasive grain. This is quite sufficient for normal corundum – but not for sintered corundum, as it is increasingly used, since influencing variables such as temperature are not taken into account in the cold processes used to date.

The developed metrological method and the corresponding device allowed for the first time the direct determination of the grinding relevant parameters during the comminution of abrasive grains in a colloid mill. This enables a quality-related evaluation of the abrasive grains independent of the abrasive grain specification as well as the prediction of the technological application behaviour. By selecting the hardness gradients of the friction partners involved in the colloid mill, wear as well as changes in roughness and material abrasion over time can also be recorded. In addition, the temperature influence can also be included in the determination of the abrasive grain properties for the first time.